UH News: Andrew Hashimoto to step down as dean of UH Mānoa CTAHR

Advisory committee launches nationwide search for CTAHR leader

Andrew “Andy” Hashimoto, who has served as dean of the UH Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) since 2000, will step down from his administrative position, and will return to the faculty on or before June 30, 2010.

Hashimoto cited his original plan, on taking the post nine years ago, to serve up to a decade as CTAHR dean. “I am not sure if there ever is the perfect time to change positions,” he said, “but increasing family needs require that I have more flexibility and control over my time and schedule than I currently have as dean.”

Ag development plan sessions scheduled | Hawaii247.org

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The public will have a final opportunity in late October and November to provide input into the 2009 County of Hawaii Agricultural Development Plan, being prepared for the Department of Research and Development by Agricon Hawaii LLC and The Kohala Center.

The Kohala Center is conducting islandwide listening sessions prior to finalizing the plan, which is intended to guide the revitalization of agriculture as a basis for the island’s economic development by focusing  on measures designed  to increase the production of food for local consumption and support the growth of export products.

The preliminary draft of the plan will be available for review by Oct. 10 at kohalacenter.org/agplan.html.

After the fall round of public sessions, The Kohala Center will incorporate public input and present the final draft to the county Department of Research and Development in early December.

In addition to attending a listening session, the public can provide suggestions and comments to Guy Kaulukukui, director of The Kohala Center’s Food Self-Reliance Program, at agplan@kohalacenter.org or 887-6411.

The sessions are 6-8 p.m. at the following dates and locations:

Farmers outraged » Honolulu Weekly

A meeting at the State Capitol last Thursday drew testimony from dozens of people concerned about how planned layoffs of more than 50 state agricultural inspectors will impact Hawaii’s export industry.

A few testimonies came from specialists and elected officials–Hilo Mayor Billy Kenoi called the move a “serious mistake.” Most comments came from small-business owners from the neighbor islands who, in language ranging from anger to desperation, expressed alarm about what the cuts will do to their livelihoods.

Calavo Growers to Present at Canaccord Adams ‘Healthy Living’ Investment Conference – Yahoo! Finance

Updated Investor Presentation Posted on Company Web Site

SANTA PAULA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Calavo Growers, Inc. (Nasdaq:CVGW-News), a global leader in avocado marketing and an expanding provider of other fresh perishable produce items, today announced that will be among 24 presenting companies at the Canaccord Adams Healthy Living Investment Conference on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, in Boston. Michael Lippold, Director of Strategic Development, will make a company presentation.

The company also disclosed that an updated investor presentation was posted on its web site, which will be used at the Canaccord and other impending financial community meetings. The presentation is available at www.calavo.com under the "Investor Relations" section.[Calavo_investor_presentation]

About Calavo Growers, Inc.

Calavo Growers, Inc. is the worldwide leader in the procurement and marketing of fresh avocados and other perishable foods, as well as the manufacturing and distribution of processed avocado products. Founded in 1924, Calavo’s expertise in marketing and distributing avocados, processed avocados, and other perishable products enables it to serve food distributors, produce wholesalers, supermarkets and restaurants on a global basis.

Florida expert headlines tropical fruit conference | Hawaii247.org

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The 19th Annual Hawaii International Tropical Fruit Conference, “A Taste of Hawaii,” is Sept. 18-20 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village.

Presented by the statewide Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers (HTFG), the event opens Friday at ‘Mealani A Taste of the Hawaiian Range’ and is geared for farmers, orchard managers and proponents of sustainable agriculture.

Headlining the ag gathering Saturday is the Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association’s 2007 Young Nursery Professional of the Year, Erik Tietig of Pine Island Nursery.

Tietig specializes in the production of tropical fruit, nut and spice trees, said Ken Love, HTFG executive director.

“Eric brings a wealth of knowledge on new fruit tree varieties not yet growing in Hawaii,” Love said. “He’ll discuss fruits that have great potential for our local growers.”

Dow Chemical to keep agricultural unit for now – Yahoo! Singapore News

* CEO wants to ‘unlock’ unit’s value

* Agricultural unit kept company afloat in Q1

* Rohm & Haas loan will be paid off soon

* Shares up 2.7 percent

By Ernest Scheyder

NEW YORK, Sept 16 – Dow Chemical Co <DOW.N> plans to hold onto its agricultural business for now and hopes to pay off debt from its April buyout of Rohm & Haas very soon, Chief Executive Andrew Liveris said on Wednesday.

Liveris was backing away from statements earlier this year that Dow might spin off the fast-growing unit, sell it, or team up with another agricultural company in order to cut its debt from the Rohm & Haas purchase.

"Unlocking the value of Dow AgroSciences has always been on our radar screen," Liveris said at the Credit Suisse Chemical and Agricultural Science Conference. "We will not let that value go out the door."

The unit has the potential to be a big player in an industry dominated by Monsanto Co <MON.N>, so a sale or spinoff just does not make sense right now, he said.