WASHINGTON -- More than 70 commodity groups say the next farm bill should include provisions of the Equitable Agriculture Today for a Healthy America Act that would for the first time give specialty crop producers a higher profile in an agriculture policy dominated by subsidized crops. While farm policy experts say that major agricultural policy changes are inevitable in the 2007 farm bill, especially as programs get squeezed by trade disputes and economic downturns, specialty crop producers are hoping to be part of the solution. With the large spinach outbreak as a backdrop, Reps. Richard

Although Florida's 2006-07 Indian River grapefruit crop volume is at its lowest in at least 30 years, the price per box in the coming season is higher than producers there have seen in several years. The supply-and-demand phenomenon is common in the produce industry. Prices rise when commodity volumes drop because of growing conditions or other reasons, and the result is that consumers are willing to pay more money for those products. These price increases are welcomed by growers and others along the supply chain because they help to maintain an economic state that is vital to the survival of

Doug Grant, who is well known in the produce industry for his information technology expertise, has been promoted to the position of vice president and chief operations officer for The Oppenheimer Group, based in Vancouver, BC. Mr. Grant, who joined Oppenheimer in 1995 as its first director of information technology, began his transition into a more strategy-focused role just over a year ago when he added executive oversight of the company's supply chain to his IT responsibilities. He now has overall responsibility for the marketer's operations, quality control, manufacturing, transportation

Total potato acreage in Idaho this year for members of United Potato Growers of Idaho, which represents an estimated 85 percent of the fresh market potatoes, 70 percent of the processing potatoes and 95 percent of the seed potatoes grown in the state, is down about 19.4 percent from 2004, which is "even a lower drop than we had last year among United growers," said Jerry Wright, chief executive officer and president of United Potato Growers of Idaho. Non-United growers have about a 7.7 percent increase, making a net decrease for the state as a whole of at least 12.4 percent, he said. Yields

Deardorff-Jackson Co. in Oxnard, CA, is now Deardorff Family Farms. "The name change is about defining who we are and what we do," said Tom Deardorff II, the company's president. "My father, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather earned a reputation for the Deardorff name that was based on hard work, honesty and integrity. We proudly carry the Deardorff name and will continue to honor their efforts with a commitment to ensuring environmental and community health." That commitment is reflected in a new slogan announced by the company, "Sustainable farming for a healthier life," and in a focus

On Friday, Sept. 29, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration issued a warning to consumers not to drink Bolthouse Farms 100% Carrot Juice, 450 milliliter and one-liter plastic bottles, with "Best If Used By" dates of Nov. 11, 2006 or earlier. The FDA's warning followed the fourth case of botulism being linked to Bakersfield, CA-based Bolthouse Farms brand carrot juice. Bolthouse Farms 100% Carrot Juice is distributed to all 50 states, Mexico and Canada through retail stores, and is labeled as follows: Bolthouse Farms 100% Carrot Juice, sold in both one-liter and 450-milliliter sizes; Earthbound