Although the new year has scarcely begun, the Washington State Potato Commission is running full bore addressing issues of interest and concern to the potato industry. "One of our biggest priorities is working with the Environmental Protection Agency to further refine soil fumigation requirements," said Executive Director Chris Voigt.

"Our most recent statistics are from 2008, and 2009 reports will not be finalized and ready for release until April of this year," said Barbara Haumann, senior writer and editor for the Organic Trade Association in Greenfield, MA. "But based on the consistency of data over the past several years, we do have some insight into how the organic fresh fruit and vegetable market is faring. That information implies that fresh produce continues to be the leader compared to all other organic categories."

It will be weeks before the full economic impact of the 2010 Florida freeze is known, but losses will likely top $1 billion with every agricultural sector experiencing damage.

Florida citrus alone is a $9 billion annual industry and the state's other top agricultural revenue-generators -- greenhouse and nursery products, sugarcane and tomatoes -- all took a pounding from the recent record cold. Federally backed crop insurance is the silver lining that could mean the difference between solvency and bankruptcy for Florida growers affected by the freeze.

Keith Wilson joined Flavor Tree Fruit Co. LLC in Hanford, CA, Jan. 1 as national retail sales manager, reporting to Maurice Cameron, the firm's global sales manager.

"I am responsible for development of the domestic sales and marketing program," Mr. Wilson told The Produce News Jan. 12.

PELION, SC -- Walter P. Rawl & Sons Inc. in Pelion, SC, recently acquired a majority ownership stake in Mississippi Sweet Corn Producers Inc. in Indianola, MS. The acquisition more than doubles Rawl's current sweet corn volume.

SAVANNAH, GA -- Despite freezing weather that threatened crops across the region, a record number of attendees turned out for the 12th annual Southeastern Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference, held Jan. 7-10 at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center.

When the first SEFVC was held in 1999, 583 attendees showed up. By this year, that number had bloomed to a record 2,249 growers, exhibitors, educators and legislators -- an increase of 5.4 percent over 2009 and the 10th consecutive year of increased attendance.