The city of Fresno, in partnership with the Fresno Food Expo Advisory Committee, formally announced open registration for the 2014 Fresno Food Expo, which shifted its dates from March to July 24, 2014 to accommodate the more than 2,500 fresh produce growers and packers in the San Joaquin Valley accounting for an economic impact of $113.4 billion in 2012. The announcement was made Jan. 28 at the Fowler Packing facility.

At its most recent board meeting in January, the Hass Avocado Board approved a recommendation that represents a significant organizational change giving a greater voice in official matters to offshore producers.

WASHINGTON — The 2014 farm bill heads to the Senate after the House of Representatives approved the conference report Wednesday by a 251-166 vote.

Some members of the House, including Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), cited the boost for specialty crop program as a reason he supported the nearly 1,000-page conference report during the debate on the House floor.

Old Man Winter has had an unusually strong grip on the country this year. While northerners were dealing with snow and brutally cold weather, plant growers from around the country gathered Jan. 22-24 in warm Fort Lauderdale, FL, for the annual Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition. It was an outstanding event that brought together growers, sellers and buyers from all over the world. We have the on-the-scene report of what took place, who the players were and a pictorial tour of the event.

National sweet potato marketing conditions "are better than what it was a year ago," said Charlie Walker, executive secretary of the Columbia, SC-based U.S. Sweet Potato Council Inc. "The growers feel they ought to get more out of the market. Production is down and there is a concern there are not stronger prices."

National sweet potato production is down 6.4 percent from the 2012 crop, and prices on Jan. 23 were a dollar or two per carton above the same level of a year earlier, according to Walker.

Since its acquisition by Pacific Trellis on Jan. 1, Dulcinea Farms has turned its attention to spring and summer production for this year.

"Melon season has become a year-round business but there is such an increase in watermelon demand starting in May versus the winter months," John McGuigan, general manager of Dulcinea Farms, said in a press release. "It's important we kick off the season with strong quality and marketing promotions in place to support the largest volume year so far for Dulcinea."