In the 1970s, when (as today) parenthood meant a trip to Walt Disney World, the theme park's Future World exhibit in Epcot Center featured plants growing without soil, their roots dangling in water. Plants of the future, tourists were told, would grow only in water. This new growing method was called hydroponics, from the Greek words for water and labor. Now, more than three decades later, tomorrow is here for tulips. Next year, a massive new tulip farm in rural Virginia will produce more than 24 million tulips by May 31. They will all be grown hydroponically -- in water, without soil

WASHINGTON -- Food inspectors knocking at a company's door in the event of a food-safety emergency will have to send a written notice first notifying the company of the records that need to be searched under the new bioterrorism law. The Food & Drug Administration has just released new guidelines that spell out the hoops government officials will need to jump through before FDA inspectors demand access to company records. The new bioterrorism law allows FDA inspectors expanded access to company records if there is a reasonable belief an adulterated food could cause adverse health effects or

The U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona entered a preliminary injunction order Nov. 8 against Ciruli Bros. LLC and Agricola San Isidro de Culiacan prohibiting them from "using any reproduction, counterfeit or imitation of the trademark Malena." In reaching its decision, the court found that Malena Produce, which is based in Nogales, AZ, had established that it was likely to succeed in a final decision that it is the rightful owner of the Malena trademark. As a consequence, until further court order, Malena Produce has the sole and exclusive right to commercially distribute "Malena"

SALINAS, CA -- The produce industry hopes the seven- to 10- day lull following Thanksgiving is the calm before the storm. Whether that storm brings a hail of business or erodes profits remains to be seen. "We've had a big week," Joe Feldman, vice president of sales and marketing for Castroville, CA-based Ocean Mist Farms, told The Produce News Nov. 30. "The [post- Thanksgiving] lull is over." Mr. Feldman said that the company has good volume in its pull for the holiday season for most commodities. Seasonal items on which the company concentrates include fennel, brussels sprouts and cardone.

European Union representatives agreed Nov. 25 in Brussels to establish the new banana tariff of 176 euros per metric ton. This pertains to "dollar" bananas sourced from Latin America, to give preferential treatment to growers in countries that are historically connected to Europe or colonized producing areas such as Martinique, the Canary Islands and Guadalupe. This new tariff is expected to be a highly controversial discussion topic when the World Trade Organization convenes in Hong Kong in mid-December. One news service reported Nov. 30 that Honduras will pose a challenge with WTO against a

Maui Pineapple Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Maui Land & Pineapple Co. Inc., announced that it has appointed Brian B. Orlopp as vice president of strategic planning. The appointment was effective Nov. 14. Mr. Orlopp, who will be responsible for the development of new agricultural business initiatives and the design and implementation of new agri-business decision-support systems, brings extensive international experience in the agribusiness industry, particularly in finance and administration. Most recently, he was vice president and general manager of Dole Food Co.-Hawaii, and held senior