Courtney Lane of Zirkle Fruit Co. is the Washington Apple Education Foundation Individual Volunteer of the Year. Her recognition was announced last week at a company production meeting held in Selah, WA. While the meeting was pre-planned, the interruption from WAEF with the special announcement occurred as a surprise to her. Lane has been a volunteer for WAEF for multiple years. She focuses her WAEF attention primarily on assisting current WAEF scholarship recipients prepare to graduate from college career-ready. This year she worked with WAEF students at a career exploration event focused on

A coalition of California farm organizations and water districts has formally asked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to appoint Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, as the new chair of the House Agriculture Committee. In a letter sent to Pelosi last week, the 70 organizations said Costa “possesses the experience and leadership adeptness” to serve effectively as committee chair. The position opened last week when the current chair, Rep. Collin Peterson, D-MN, was defeated for re-election. The letter cites Costa’s 16 years of experience representing an agriculturally productive congressional district in the San

Moxxy Marketing has expanded its West Coast team, adding Project Coordinator Hailey Terrones, based in California, to support clients throughout Western North America, including the western U.S., Canada and Mexico. Terrones’ passion for merchandising and branding, as well as her prior experience at Grimmway Farms’ TRUE Organic Juices, drew her to fresh produce marketing with Moxxy, filling a key project management role supporting the marketing agency’s agriculture-based clients. "It is a natural fit that Hailey joined Moxxy during a time we’re expanding both our California- and Florida-based

The North Carolina State Ports Authority announced the arrival of industry veteran Doug Vogt as its next chief operating officer. At North Carolina Ports, Vogt will apply his extensive experience to further improve the operational excellence at the port of Wilmington, port of Morehead City and Charlotte Inland Port. Specifically, he will direct and coordinate the activities of all terminal operations. He will also oversee the execution of the infrastructure investment plan. “Doug is the perfect addition to round out our leadership team. His experience and knowledge of the industry will be

Bard Valley Medjool Date Growers announced the addition of two new members to its sales team and the internal promotion of three key staff members. The additional staff will be instrumental in supporting the ongoing significant growth for Bard Valley Date Growers. Derrick Stinnet, joining as director of international sales, brings 15 years of industry experience to BVDG specializing in international trade. Prior positions included four years as vice president of international sales and marketing at The Grapery. Liam Slavin, joining as Northeast sales rep, has a background in sales and

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association has named Christina Morton as its new director of communications. She replaces Lisa Lochridge, who will retire Dec.1. An experienced strategic communicator with a strong public relations background, Morton comes to FFVA from Consensus Communications, a well-known Orlando, FL, public relations firm. She is nationally accredited in public relations. “We are very pleased that Christina has chosen to share her experience and talent with our industry,” said FFVA President Mike Joyner. “Our members will benefit greatly from her expertise in strategic