The articles today are about produce politics, but in a good way. Read, enjoy and send me your thoughts.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007; Page A23
After years of derision and obscurity, the nation's fruits and vegetables are finally getting the respect they deserve.
Long dismissed as mere "specialty crops" and all but ignored by the powerful lawmakers who fashion the federal government's massive farm bill every five years, fresh produce is now promoting itself in a major way and is positioned to be a big winner in this year's legislative sweepstakes. “They definitely have more leverage," said Dana Brooks, a lobbyist for the American Farm Bureau Federation. "They are much better organized," agreed Jon Doggett, a vice president of the National Corn Growers Association, a sometime inter-commodity rival. They definitely have more leverage," said Dana Brooks, a lobbyist for the American Farm Bureau Federation. "They are much better organized," agreed Jon Doggett, a vice president of the National Corn Growers Association, a sometime inter-commodity rival
UNION-TRIBUNE
May 6, 2007
Let us examine how the avocado – this unsightly creation with the skin of an alligator – managed to capture the attention of federal lawmakers presumably consumed with war, budgets and their next elections. The avocado – first born in south-central Mexico, introduced to Europe in the 16th century and early on known as the “alligator pear” – is a major cash crop in Southern California. California growers produce the bulk of the nation's avocado crop – 80 percent to 90 percent of it, depending on whose estimate you believe. Most California avocados are harvested on 60,000 acres between San Luis Obispo and the U.S.-Mexico border, by about 6,800 growers. San Diego County, which produces 60 percent of all California avocados, is the acknowledged avocado capital of the nation. Note, however, that avocados are grown all over the world. Mexico is the world's largest avocado producer, while southern Florida is the nation's next-biggest producer. Even Texas grows avocados.
Harold Thinks! This article gets to the point and it is a good one. As long as government rules are fair and not protectionist I don’t have a problem with leveling the playing field. I worry when I things such as how China will be providing 40% of the food to the U.S. by 2015. I don’t have anything against China, but we need to insure that this country can stand on its own, and being able to feed our own people is a no brainer.
