Food & Farm News

» November 30, 2011 «

Christmas tree growers prepare for annual rush

Families searching for the perfect Christmas tree should be out in force later this week. Growers say the first two weekends of December are prime tree-shopping time. While this year's ample rain meant good growth on California tree farms, growers hope for fair weather during the coming weekends. Due to the ailing economy and competition from artificial trees, growers say they won't raise prices for fresh-cut trees, even as production costs have increased.

Forecast shows improved avocado supplies

After staying tight for most of this year, avocado supplies should make a comeback in 2012, according to crop estimators. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it expects California avocado supplies to rebound in the coming season, after a relatively small crop this year. The California harvest will accelerate beginning in April. In the meantime, most avocados on the market will be imported from Chile or Mexico, and the report says those supplies should also improve.

Sugar beet harvest sweetens

While other states played catch-up after weather damaged crops or delayed harvests, California sugar beet growers had a larger 2011 harvest. A government crop review notes that the state's sugar beet production rose 7 percent in 2011, at the same time as overall production throughout the U.S. decreased by 10 percent. California farmers grow more than 25,000 acres of sugar beets, about 2 percent of the nation's total.

Riverside County farmer earns Farm Bureau honor

A dairy farmer and nursery owner from Murrieta has earned the California Farm Bureau Federation's 2011 Distinguished Service Award. Dan Hollingsworth has served in leadership positions at the county and state levels and hosted tours of his dairy for legislators. He also paved the way for farmers in the United States to learn from their counterparts internationally, participating and leading agricultural tours to countries including Russia, China and Japan.