News
Farm Bill agreement reached by Congress, vote expected soon
Congress has been reached a bipartisan agreement on a new Farm Bill, with a vote expected later this week. The months-long debate finally ceded following Republican concession on a plan to tighten restrictions on food stamps. The full report can b... more
Haun Potato Co. to cease operations after nearly 54 years in business
After nearly 54 years in business, Haun Potato Co. will cease operations at the end of December. Second-generation owner David Haun shared the news in a Dec. 6 email to customers and industry friends, it was reported by The Produce News. Haun Pota... more
FSMA Produce Safety Rule requires farm worker training once per year
When produce growers think about implementing food safety on the farm, the first thing that usually pops into their mind is records. Very few records, however, are required under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. One p... more
Valley Irrigation adds Trevor Mecham, Joe Strickland to leadership roles
Valley Irrigation, a business segment of Valmont Industries, Inc. (NYSE: VMI), has hired Trevor Mecham as vice president, global technology strategy - irrigation, and Joe Strickland as vice president and general manager, North America irrigatio... more
El Niño present in Pacific, could mean drier 2019 for Pacific Northwest
El Niño weather patterns are appearing over the Pacific Ocean. That could mean a drier-than-average winter wet season for the Pacific Northwest. U.S. Department of Agriculture meteorologist Brad Rippey said via the USDA Radio Newsline that signs ... more
National Potato Council calls New York Times’ french fries article ‘misleading’
A New York Times' story that refers to french fries as "starch bombs" has drawn ire from the National Potato Council. “You Don’t Want Fries with That,” written by Christopher Mele, quoted a Harvard professor who said potatoes are not as heal... more
Harmonized GAP audit charge relief coming to farmers from USDA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Dec. 4 it will provide $3.7 million of assistance to fruit and vegetable growers in 16 states through a GAP Assistance Program. The goal is to enhance market access by defraying costs of undergoin... more
Tong Engineering adds two to project management team
Leading vegetable handling equipment manufacturer Tong Engineering has added two people to its project management team. “As our equipment advances, we have an increasing number of projects that require dedicated project management due to their s... more
Leavitt Farms of Maine wins 2018 McCain Foods Champion Grower Award
When it came time to stand up during the 2018 McCain Foods Champion Grower judging, potato grower Leavitt Farms stood out. Leavitt Farms LLC, based in Limestone, Maine, won the coveted award during the annual McCain Grower Barbecue in August. T... more
New USDA conservation leader Lohr to take ‘science-based approach’
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced Dec. 3 the appointment of Matthew J. “Matt” Lohr to serve as Chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). In his role, Lohr will provide... more
