Growers from the Great Lakes and the Maritimes are invited to join a pest monitoring network. Specifically, growers of sweet corn and snap beans will benefit.

Anne Fowlie, who helmed the Canadian Horticultural Council for 17 years, has been appointed to the federal government’s External Advisory Committee on Regulatory Competitiveness.

Hazel Technologies Inc., based in Salinas, California, has developed a small, biodegradable and food-safe insert to extend the shelf life of a carton of fresh fruit. Now the post-harvest sachet is being launched for one of the most challenging fruits to keep fresh – cherries.

Devin Dreeshen is the new minister of agriculture and forestry for Alberta. The fifth-generation farmer, 31, is part of Premier Jason Kenny’s new United Conservative Party cabinet.

McCain Foods Foods USA Inc., the world’s largest producer of frozen French fries, is investing $300 million in its Othello, Washington potato processing facility. The expanded plant will require 11,000 more acres of potatoes to fill capacity.

The manufacturers of Manzate Max have been granted registration of their product for control of fungi on apples, potatoes and vegetable crops. The fungicide, a liquid formulation, is targeted at a broad spectrum of key diseases.

BCfresh has appointed produce veteran Dawn Gray to its board of directors. This year marks her 40th year in the global produce industry, having worked with some of the top produce companies in the world.

Garlic growers have another tool in their arsenal for weed control. Chateau herbicide is now registered for control of labeled weeds on garlic.

Many apple growers are converting to high-density orchards with top-selling consumer favourites: Honeycrisp, Ambrosia and Gala. The search for new varieties is arduous as Cathy McKay, vice-chair of the Ontario Apple Growers, attests. She’s been one of the champions of a new Canadian Apple Breeding Consortium.

Apple grower Cathy McKay has converted her 27-acre orchard to new varieties and trellis systems to produce a great tasting experience for consumers.