West

Lettuce sampling protocols for the Salinas Valley adjusted by FDA

The FDA has updated its lettuce sampling protocols for the Salinas Valley. FDA has been in the process of collecting and testing lettuce grown in the area and will continue until the end of harvest... more »

Employers must protect employees from excessive heat, wildfire smoke

California's hot summer growing season and an ongoing drought feeding out-of-control wildfires pose challenges for farm employers. The 700,000-acre-and-counting Dixie Fire and the devastating Caldor Fire have conspired to funnel smoke in agricultural production areas... more »

Colorado touts food safety with on-farm readiness reviews

The Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association is encouraging all Colorado produce growers who grow, harvest, pack or hold produce that is consumed raw to take advantage of an educational opportunity offered by Colorado State... more »

Joanna Jaramillo to lead Wholesum’s expanded marketing program

Joanna Jaramillo will lead an effort to expand marketing efforts for Wholesum-brand organic vegetables, according to a news release from the company. A third-generation family farming operation based in southern Arizona, Wholesum grows and ships Fair Trade Certified,... more »

Help to reduce huge losses in potato industry seen in biochemistry

Massive losses in the United States' number one vegetable crop, potatoes, aren't only due to pests or drought, they’re due to damage in the handling and storage of potatoes over the nine months of storage... more »

Taylor Farms announces investment in CEA with Pure Green Farms

Taylor Farms announced Aug. 24 it has entered the greenhouse growing market with an investment in Pure Green Farms. This expansion into greenhouse-grown fresh offerings will complement Taylor Farms’ existing 122,200-crop-acre field grown program and... more »

California farmers hit by wildfires and drought can get disaster aid

California agricultural operations have been significantly impacted by the wildfires and ongoing, severe drought. The USDA has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover. Impacted producers should contact their local... more »

Congressional staffers meet at USDA ARS site with organic group

Organic Farming Research Foundation hosted Rep. Jimmy Panetta’s, D-CA, congressional staffers at the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Salinas, California, last week. The site visit focused on the importance of increased investment in organic research... more »