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

MEDIA RELEASE

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.

Hawaii’s Renewable Energy Revolution

by Dave Fessler, Advisory Panelist

Hawaii: Pristine black sand beaches… surfing… spectacular volcanic eruptions… and miles of pineapple plantations. If you are like me, this is what comes to mind when you imagine Hawaii.

What may not come to mind, though, when you think of America’s 50th state are its energy resources – and specifically, the fact that it gets 77% of its power from oil-fired power plants. That’s a unique statistic within the United States. Coal-fired plants provide 14% of power, and the remaining 9% comes from renewable sources like wind and solar energy.

Suffice it to say, tourism is Hawaii’s largest industry, with agriculture playing a major role, too. And not unlike the rest of the country, the one thing needed to keep it all running smoothly is a reliable source of electricity.

Problem is, Hawaii is dependent on fossil fuels for more than 90% of its power – an issue that became shockingly clear when oil spiked to $147 a barrel last year. As a result, the Hawaiian Electric Company – the state’s main electric utility – was briefly forced to charge users more than 50 cents per kilowatt-hour – over five times the national average.

Isle agriculture, cuisine celebrated at weekend festival | Hawaii247.org


MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaiian wild boar will be sizzling on the rotisserie, its tempting aroma wafting from an open fire. Also dazzling diners will be tantalizing cuisine prepared at numerous chef stations using locally raised lamb, mutton, goat, pork and beef—plus a cornucopia of fresh, island-grown veggies.

The onolicious fun is part of the 14th Mealani A Taste of the Hawaiian Range and Agriculture Festival at the Hilton Waikoloa Village.

The day-long ag showcase features Big Island products Friday, Sept. 18 and culminates with the 6-8 p.m. taste extravaganza. 

More than 30 of the state’s premiere chefs rely on their culinary expertise to prepare delectable dishes using a variety of meat cuts — everything from beef tongue to oxtail.

While “grazing the range,” eager eaters can get acquainted with Hawaii’s food producers at gaily-decorated vendor booths and talk story with the farmers and ranchers who make a living growing our food. Tickets are $40 presale; $80 at the door.

Prior to the evening taste experience, learn how to prepare local, pasture-raised beef at a 4 p.m. culinary demonstration: “How to Cook Grass-Fed Beef 101” by Chefs Jackie Lau and Ronnie Nasuti of Roy’s Restaurants-Hawaii.

Participants receive a takeaway recipe and cooking tips. Tickets are $10 for the informative, hour-long cooking demo.