News

FREDERICK, Colo. -  The U.S. honey industry is thriving, according to a new study¹ from the University of California Agricultural Issues Center. The research found that the U.S. honey industry in 2017 was responsible for more than 22,000 jobs and its total economic output was $4.74 billion. Total economic output includes direct effect, such as workers hired to move beehives, indirect effect, like packaging supply companies for honey products, and induced effects, the wages honey industry workers spend at local businesses.  

The study was directed by Dr. Daniel A. Sumner, an economist and director of the University of California Agricultural Issues Center, an institute which has studied the economic impacts of many farm commodities. The U.S. honey industry is made up of beekeepers, importers, packers and processors.

KINGSBURG -  As part of the company's commitment to growth and efficiencies, Sun-Maid Growers of California announced it will move its corporate offices from Kingsburg and satellite offices from northern California to a new consolidated headquarters in Fresno this summer. Sun-Maid's Kingsburg location will be transformed into a center for operational excellence and product development to further incite innovation and encourage a strong focus on new products for the brand. To ensure a beneficial transition for employees,  individuals may elect flex schedules, remote access and work-from-home options—all of which are being made available to the existing workforce.

The moves reinforce three key areas to help drive the company's transformation: it will support the growing talent base, create a culture of creativity, collaboration and excellence, and build its innovation pipeline. Sun-Maid's expanded Central Valley footprint serves as another milestone that's part of its re-emergence in the marketplace, which has included the hiring of a new CEO and launch of its first integrated campaign in a decade.

FRESNO - ValleyPBS will air a new series this fall, co-produced by 18THIRTY Entertainment, exploring agriculture in the United States entitled, American Grown: My Job Depends on Ag.  The program will be an unbiased, in-depth look at the issues that inspired the Facebook group-turned-movement, the future of the industry, and the stories of how agriculture touches us all far beyond the table, from the clothes we wear to the roof over our heads.

The show is slated to start in September, airing Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. after Valley’s Gold, building upon the success of ValleyPBS’ other locally-produced ag show about area crops.  American Grown will follow PBS’ trusted journalistic standards to tell the stories of people in agriculture, giving voice to multiple sides on important matters impacting the industry.

SAN DIEGO -  Medical Marijuana, Inc., the first-ever publicly traded cannabis company in the United States, today announced that its subsidiary HempMeds® has signed an agreement with national distribution leader Mr. Checkout to distribute its line of cannabidiol (CBD) hemp oil tinctures, liquids, topical and pet products to thousands of members of national and independent retailers including natural grocery and health stores, vitamin retail outlets and pharmacies.

Established in 1989, Mr. Checkout is a national group of independent direct store delivery distributors, full-line grocery distributors and wagon-jobbers, representing products at over 60 major retailers. Its distribution network services over 35,000 retailers across the United States, Canada and parts of the Caribbean. In addition, Mr. Checkout has worked with ABC's Shark Tank to help vet products either before they're on the show or afterward when the deal has closed.