The National Watermelon Promotion Board has elected an all-female slate of executive officers for the first time in its history.

The election took place Feb. 21 in St. Petersburg, FL, during the board's spring meeting, which was held alongside the National Watermelon Association's annual convention.

Jill Barton, of District 1, was elected president. Renee Goodwin, of District 4, was re-elected as vice president. Camille Lombardo, of District 5, was re-elected as secretary-treasurer.

The executive committee also includes Bailey Leger, District 2; Tony Moore, District 3; Chris Dyer, importer; and

Recognizing the growing impact of women in agriculture worldwide, the United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. The resolution, led by the United States and supported by 123 countries, is backed by the California Avocado Commission as part of its ongoing commitment to leadership and sustainability in the produce industry. Further support of women’s advancement across all fields is highlighted through International Women’s Day (March 8), which celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. 

Within the California avocado

Garry Bergstrom has never been particularly comfortable with titles. Even after a 45-year career at Publix Super Markets, even after rising to business director of produce and floral, even now as he prepares to receive the Southeast Produce Council’s highest honor Bergstrom still describes himself the same way he always has: a farm boy who tries to do the right thing.

That posture, service-oriented and quietly principled, is precisely why the Southeast Produce Council has selected Bergstrom as the 2026 recipient of the Terry Vorhees Lifetime Achievement Award, to be presented during Southern

Consalo Family Farms added two seasoned industry leaders to its executive team: Bruno Giribaldi as executive vice president of global sourcing and Tom Tobin as senior vice president of business development. These strategic hires reinforce the company’s continued investment in global supply chain excellence and long-term retail partnerships as it approaches its 100th year of farming and distribution.

Giribaldi joins Consalo Family Farms with nearly 20 years of experience in produce sales and category management, bringing deep expertise across blueberries, grapes, avocados and citrus.

Born in Peru

The California apple industry lost an instrumental and deeply respected leader with the death of Lawrence Joseph Sambado on Jan. 22.

Born on March 9, 1938, in San Francisco, Mr. Sambado was raised with strong agricultural roots. He attended Linden High School before pursuing his passion for agriculture at the University of California-Davis, where he studied pomology. Following completion of his undergraduate degree, he served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard.

After his military service, Mr. Sambado and his wife, Beverly Ann Boggiano, returned to Linden, CA, to raise their family and join his

The Washington State Fruit Commission has appointed Eric Patrick as its new president to oversee marketing efforts for cherries and canned pears grown in the Northwest, as well as its industry education programs, effective March 2. He succeeds longtime President B.J. Thurlby, who retired Dec. 31 after 30 years with the commission.

“Eric has a deep understanding of our industry. He has helped to market cherries, he’s helped to develop new programs, he understands sales and marketing and has relationships with many of the key players in our industry and with Northwest Cherries,” said Doug Field