Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Near perfect weather promises strong crop of California tree fruit with good quality
Growers and shippers of California tree fruit agreed that weather to date has been just about ideal for the 2013 crop -- in contrast to some recent years when freezing temperatures, hailstorms and other weather disruptions have caused problems. .. [read more]
Source: Produce News

Monday, April 08, 2013
Nightmare issues for California growers
Agriculture's influence has waned through the years in California, said an influential industry lobbyist at the 2013 meeting of the California Grape & Tree Fruit League. At the meeting, held in Laguna Beach in March, George Soares with Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP, moderated the keynote discussion which centered on what keeps growers and shippers awake at night. There are a whole host of problems as the state has transitioned away from an economy totally dominated by ag, said Soares, noting that .. [read more]
Source: Growing Produce

Wednesday, March 27, 2013
CGTFL addresses issues at 77th annual meeting
The California Grape & Tree Fruit League held its 77th annual meeting March 25 in Laguna Beach, CA, which featured an industry workshop on what keeps farmers awake at night, the election of a chairman and board of directors, and the recognition of three League members. .. [read more]
Source: The Produce News

Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Grape and Tree Fruit League in Good Health
Members of the Fresno-based California Grape & Tree Fruit League received some reassuring news during their 77th annual meeting March 25. .. [read more]
Source: The Packer

Monday, March 25, 2013
Statewide tour shows industry concerns
When I conclude a trip like our recent California Fresh Impact Tour, I think I must have the best job among the thousands of associations based in Washington, D.C. .. [read more]
Source: The Packer

Friday, March 01, 2013
Reps Costa, Hastings co-chair specialty crop caucus
U.S. Representatives Jim Costa (D) of California and Doc Hastings (R) of Washington, co-chairs of the Congressional Specialty Crop Caucus, announced the reorganization of the caucus and membership for the 113th Congress. The Caucus aims to raise awareness about the issues facing specialty crop growers and processors and advocate for policies that allow producers to continue to provide American families with safe, healthy foods. .. [read more]
Source: Western Farm Press

Thursday, October 18, 2012
CARB REGS IMPACT CALIF. SHIPPERS JAN 1.
After years of deliberation, on January 1, 2013, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will commence enforcement of regulations requiring California shippers to load only compliant transport refrigeration units (TRUs). .. [read more]
Source: WESTERN GROWERS

Sunday, October 14, 2012
DESPITE FEW GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS, VALLEY FARMERS FEAR PROP 37
Edible crops in California's Central Valley are grown without genetic engineering, but farmers here still fear a ballot initiative aimed at labeling food that has been genetically modified, saying it could make it harder to sell their products. .. [read more]
Source: THE SACRAMENTO BEE

Thursday, September 20, 2012
UNITED FRESH CONFERENCE TO FEATURE USDA LEADER
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s deputy secretary, the chief economist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a U.S. congressman and several produce industry leaders are scheduled to speak at the United Fresh Produce Association’s annual policy conference. .. [read more]
Source: THE PACKER

Monday, September 17, 2012
MOTH ERADICATION PROGRAM RECEIVES RECOGNITION
Sometimes hard work is recognized. Such is the case for California’s Cooperative European Grapevine Moth program which has received the Administrator’s Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)... [read more]
Source: CENTRAL VALLEY BUSINESS TIMES

Wednesday, September 12, 2012
CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY FARMERS FEEL IGNORED IN HISTORIC WATER QUALITY EFFORTS
The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board has seemingly ignored outreach efforts by commodity groups in California's San Joaquin Valley as it works through the proposed long-term Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program. .. [read more]
Source: THE PRODUCE NEWS

Friday, August 24, 2012
CHRISTOPHER VALADEZ TOUCHES ON ASSEMBLY BILL 1313; LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
In this interview, Christopher Valadez, Director, Environmental and Regulatory Affairs, for the California Grape and Tree Fruit League, joins AndNowUKnow to discuss the relevance of Assembly Bill 1313 and how it may change the current state of overtime requirements. .. [read more]
Source: ANDNOWUKNOW

Wednesday, August 22, 2012
END OF TARIFF BOOSTS EXPORT GAINS TO MEXICO
Led by a big bump in grape exports and double-digit growth for apples, U.S. fresh fruit exports to Mexico are up 31% from October 2011 to June 2012 compared with the previous year. .. [read more]
Source: THE PACKER

Monday, August 20, 2012
LAWMAKERS PROPOSING TOUGHER REGULATIONS FOR FARMWORKERS
Opponents say the bills are not necessary. They say growers and safety advocates are doing enough to keep people safe. .. [read more]
Source: KSEE24

Monday, August 13, 2012
PLUMS ROUND OUT SEASON FOR CALIFORNIA STONE FRUIT
A mix of normal seasonal progression and the lingering effects of an April hailstorm took California stone fruit off center stage for fall. .. [read more]
Source: THE PACKER

Wednesday, August 01, 2012
SEVERAL PIECES OF PENDING LEGISLATION ARE OF GREAT CONCERN TO CALIFORNIA GRAPE AND TREE FRUIT LEAGUE
At both the state and federal level, there are issues and several pieces of legislation currently pending as of mid-July that are of great concern to the California Grape & Tree Fruit League, here. At the state level, there are two bills currently moving through the legislature "that are of major concern to us," said Barry Bedwell, president of the league, July 13. .. [read more]
Source: THE PRODUCE NEWS

Friday, July 27, 2012
HANFORD FARMER TO ACCEPT KINGS COUNTY AG AWARD
Hanford farmer John Tos was announced as Kings County's agriculturalist of the year by the Lemoore Chamber of Commerce. Tos, a third generation farmer, is the owner of Tos Farms, which grows stone fruit, table grapes, almonds, walnuts, corn and alfalfa. .. [read more]
Source: THE BUSINESS JOURNAL

Wednesday, July 25, 2012
IN SEASON: SO MUCH TO ENJOY FROM PEACHES
This is the kind of peach season that makes David Mas Masumoto's mouth water. "My dad used to say, once in a decade you'd get a year like this – you don't want to miss it," said Masumoto, America's most famous peach farmer. "It's a good year for flavor; hot but not too hot. It's perfect for peaches." .. [read more]
Source: THE SACRAMENTO BEE

Thursday, May 17, 2012
CALIFORNIA STONE FRUIT DOWN MORE THAN 15% AFTER HAIL
Production of California stone fruit is about to accelerate but is showing much less volume than usual thanks to an April 11 hailstorm... .. [read more]
Source: THE PACKER

Tuesday, May 15, 2012
CALIFORNIA PEST PROTECTION TO SUFFER WITH BUDGET DEFICITY
A $16 billion state budget shortfall in California will lead to cutbacks in border pest protection activities..... [read more]
Source: THE PACKER