By Catherine Saillant, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer November 12, 2007 Some Ventura County farmers are ripping out acres of ho-hum orange groves that produced fruit crated off to supermarkets, and instead are planting lucrative crops such as strawberries, and designer pomelo and jujube orchards, that fetch good money from Los Angeles area foodies. By Catherine Saillant, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer November 12, 2007 Some Ventura County farmers are ripping out acres of ho-hum orange...

The institute urges spreading money to smaller farms and starter farms and opening markets for healthier, locally grown fruits and vegetables. And, thanks to billions of dollars in farm subsidies, corn is far cheaper than other important Michigan crops, which do not get a penny in subsidies. House and Senate give a nod to fruits, vegetables and other specialty crops -- $3 billion in the Senate bill. But a growing number of activists, including many in West Michigan, are demanding a food...

Department of Agriculture official urged California farmers and industry leaders Friday to back the Bush administration's farm bill plans, even as lawmakers on Capitol Hill debate costlier versions of the multi-billion- dollar legislation. But Congress is offering those growers a small slice of a $286 billion measure that would keep subsidizing major crops, including corn, soybeans, cotton and rice -- a long-standing practice that critics want to curtail in favor of land conservation,...

Also, if anyone was worried about telling the difference between fruits and veggies raised with or without pesticides at the local farmers market, there is little chance of that changing anytime soon. Katie Auman-Bauer, spokeswoman for the state's integrated pest management program, which encourages farmers to use as little pesticide as possible during production, said that is key for local farmers markets. Ryder said the ruling on labels directly on products is within the agriculture...

Supermarkets have been especially interested in expanding their market shares on the already saturated wholesale market. TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwan's three main chains of supermarkets have been increasing price-bargain campaigns, in the wake of the recent price rise on staple food products nationwide, Chinese-language media reported yesterday. Carrefour has also launched its staple food campaign, called "original rice flavor, good noodles look," targeting rice, noodles, spaghetti and grains...