Social Media Guide Being Developed For Floriculture Retailers & Wholesalers

December 29, 2011 American Floral Endowment

Many industries are successfully using social media as a communication tool toincrease sales and build relationships with customers. The FMRF Social Media project seeks to take an in depth look at how retail and wholesale florists can effectively use social media.

Houweling Nurseries Receives Governor’s Environmental & Economic Leadership Award

Houweling Nurseries Oxnard Inc. is one of sixteen California companies or organizations, including one from the Central Valley, who are getting the 2011 Governors Environmental and Economic Leadership Award from Gov. Jerry Brown for their contributions to Californias environment and economy.

New Test For Apples Streamlines Science Of Crispness

December 29, 2011 Carey Polis, Huffington Post

Researchers from the Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center at the Washington State University tested a new fruit pentrometer — a device that measures a fruit's hardness. The researchers' findings, published in HortTechnology make a case for machines over humans. People, after tasting several apples, can get fatigued. This fatigue can translate into sensory analysis errors. Machines do not make these errors.

Gourmet Gift Retailer Cushman’s Offers Limited Edition Honeybell Oranges

December 29, 2011 Cushman’s Fruit Company

Cushman’s®, America’s citrus gift experts for over 60 years, celebrates the annual harvest of Honeybell® oranges with fresh fruit gifts, including delightful Honeybell® gift boxes, filled with bounty from Cushman’s beautiful Honeybell groves.

GA Ag Commissioner Gary Black Scheduled To Speak During Business Operations Track

The SE Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference is pleased to announce that Gary Black, the Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner, is scheduled to speak during the Business Operations Track II – Insurance, Transportation and Immigration. Black will be giving an update on the labor study conducted by the Georgia Department of Agriculture as required by HB 87 'The Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011.'