Food & Farm News
» December 6, 2007 «
Farm Bureau president wins re-election
The leader of the state's largest farm organization has been re-elected to a new term in office. California Farm Bureau Federation President Doug Mosebar was re-elected in a unanimous vote of delegates to the organization's Annual Meeting, as it ended yesterday (Wednesday) in Sparks, Nevada. Mosebar is from Santa Ynez and begins a second two-year term as Farm Bureau president. Farm Bureau vice presidents Paul Wenger of Modesto and Kenny Watkins of Linden also won re-election.
CSU chancellor affirms commitment to agriculture 
Educating a new generation of farmers and other agricultural professionals has taken on additional urgency as California's farm population ages. The chancellor of the California State University system brought some encouraging news, when he spoke to the California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. Chancellor Charles Reed said the CSU system remains committed to agricultural education and that enrollment in its agricultural colleges rose 5 percent this year.
Sales to Mexico help state's apple farmers
The active harvest has ended, but California apple farmers continue to ship fruit to market. The California Apple Commission says farmers harvested enough fruit to fill 3 million, 40-pound boxes. The commission reports strong domestic demand, so shippers didn't send as many apples to foreign markets. But Mexico was an exception. Demand remains so high that the export period has been extended more than a month, until December 21st.
Changes in demand affect dried-fruit markets
Americans don't eat as much dried fruit as they once did. A U.S. Agriculture Department report says Americans have reduced consumption of raisins and dried plums since the mid-1990s. Demand for dried apples, dates and figs has also diminished. The report says competition from other dried fruits could be part of the reason. Use of dried strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and cranberries has increased in snack foods and cereals.
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