Association bloggers and top headlines for Jan. 12

I'm here in Sandusky Ohio, ahead of tomorrow's start to the Ohio Produce Growers and Marketers Association Congress. Lots of snow in Cleveland and the environs, but the driving was fine to go west to Sandusky. The Congress is at the mega indoor water park, the Kalahari resort.

I was thinking a little bit about the blog today, and how one of the purposes is to encourage industry conversation.

(Little known fact: a blogger blog can have up to 100 authors)

So rather than run association news releases (Steve Forbes to speak at United, retailers win awards, etc. ) in the blog (covered separately by The Packer anyway), I've floated the idea to United, PMA, WG, FVVA and others to have them write conversational posts about what is going on in their associations as it may relate to FT readership and link it back to their sites.

By the way, Sherise Jones of Idaho-eastern Oregon onions has signed on as a blogger. Sherise, what's the tenor of the season up there so far and what are you working on, promotion wise?

Here are some headlines from around the world of produce and beyond for Monday:

1 in 200 kids vegetarian USA Today coverage

Tangerine growers tell beekeppers to buzz off Paramount Citrus sends warning letters to beekeepers

50 ways for a greener 2009 You won't like some of these

Business hopes to block e-verify requirement no new court developments, however, that would block Jan. 15 effective date

Ensure economic stimulus jobs go to American workers From the piece, a bit of red meat:
If we are going to spend billions, perhaps even trillions, of borrowed dollars to create public works jobs, an absolute prerequisite must be an insurance policy that the beneficiaries of the program are U.S. workers

More on that theme..

Pro and anti immigration advocates invoke the economy From the story: NumbersUSA chimes in: cut the competition

Will Americans put on recession pounds? Fred W covered this topic already in a blog post

Johanns names Johner to ag post Nebraska ag post filled by former USDA under secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services.

Union leader applauds hike of Washington state minimum wage Union leader applauds 48 cents hike on Jan. 1

Roubini's outlook not for the faint hearted

Food trends for 2009 cooling of demand for organics mentioned

SuperValu refocuses on price

After bailout, banks still not lending Credit markets not unfrozen yet, says industry

Mexico's inflation surges