December 2024 - 62

INDUSTRY NEWS
Naturipe Farms increases Sunshine
State strawberry production
Naturipe Farms is expanding its strawberry holdings in
the Sunshine State.
The global berry producer has enlarged its Florida
strawberry operations by bringing more than 200 acres
of strawberries into
Central Florida.
The Chavez family
of Berry Red Farms
in Duette, Florida,
is at the heart of
the expansion.
Since 2004, Merced
and Dee Chavez
have transformed
their initial six
leased acres
into a flourishing
strawberry operation located southeast of the Tampa Bay
metropolitan area.
In addition to increased availability of Naturipe's
strawberries for retailers in the region, the strawberries
will see a decreased transit distance, longer growing
seasons, and will be on the shelves closer to their
harvest, resulting in optimal freshness, according to a
news release.
" Our experience growing strawberries, along with
blueberries and other produce in Florida, directly
benefits both the retailer and the customer, " Jim Roberts,
Naturipe Farms' president of sales, said in the release.
" We're looking forward to growing our operations in
Florida even further as we move forward. "
USDA awards $5 million to support
sustainable packaging lab for fresh
produce
The USDA has awarded $5 million to the International
Fresh Produce Association's (IFPA) Foundation for
Fresh Produce and Clemson University to establish a
Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab.
The lab will focus on developing new packaging
solutions to address changing global regulations and
reduce single-use plastics in the specialty crop industry.
The grant is part of a $25 million package from the
USDA's Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) initiative.
IFPA will also collaborate with the Foundation for Food
and Agriculture Research (FFAR) and the University of
Florida to implement the program, aimed at ensuring
U.S. fruits, vegetables and nuts meet international
packaging and labeling standards.
" The packaging and labeling requirements for export
markets are changing at a rapid pace, " Max Teplitski,
chief science officer for IFPA, said in a news release.
" This investment from the USDA will turbocharge the
development and scale-up of innovative packaging
compliant with emerging global packaging regulations. "
62 | DECEMBER 2024
Wisconsin hall of fame inducts hort
supply leader Kurt Dramm
Horticultural supply industry leader Kurt Dramm has
been inducted into the Commercial Growers of Wisconsin
(CGW) Hall of Fame.
Dramm, a leader in the horticultural supply industry,
died May 16. He was 85.
Dramm was the co-founder of the Manitowoc,
Wisconsin, based Dramm Corp., which supplied
water treatment products, horticultural equipment,
professional watering tools and fertilizers for the
commercial greenhouse and retail gardening sectors.
His name will be displayed at the Boerner Botanical
Gardens Visitor Center in Hales Corners, Wisconsin.
The CGW is a diverse organization of wholesale and
retail plant production business owners, employees,
greenhouse suppliers, horticultural students, and other
advocates dedicated to the advancement of Wisconsin's
horticulture and floriculture industries.
" Kurt Dramm was awarded this honor in recognition
of his selfless contributions and lasting positive impact on
the horticulture and floriculture industry throughout his
entrepreneurial career, " according to a news release.
Reinke introduces precision center
pivot irrigation systems
Irrigation systems and technology supplier Reinke has
introduced a precision center pivot irrigation system.
Reinke Manufacturing introduced E3, the first precision
series of center pivot systems.
The patented irrigation system offers accuracy and
performance, ensuring consistent and efficient water
management and distribution across diverse field
conditions for growers, according to a news release.
E3 is the first precision series of spans and end booms
with uniform coupler spacing (in 30 " and 60 " intervals)
to ensure a uniform water application rate the entire
length of the system, exceeding previous water uniformity
benchmarks according to the USDA Center Pivot Evaluation
and Design (CPED). The E3 precision irrigation system also
includes a variety of new features that provide enhanced
stability, reliability, precision, and efficiency across all
terrains and conditions, according to the release.
E3 will be available for sale in select markets during
the growing season 2025.
With dealers in more than 40 countries, Reinke is one of
the world's largest privately held manufacturers of center
pivot and lateral move irrigation systems. Based in Deshler,
Nebraska, Reinke develops products and technology
designed to increase agriculture production while providing
labor savings and environmental efficiencies.
December 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of December 2024
