Jan 17th, 2010 · January's record-low temperatures inflicted big financial losses on many industries. Citrus growers and others have seen their profit outlooks shrink because of weather-related higher costs and lower revenues. When the weather turns rough, some business owners turn to financial markets for a little protection from Mother Nature.
Jan 12th, 2010 · Florida is in the grip of its worst cold spell in more than a decade, and that means trouble for the state's fruit and vegetable growers. Farmers in some parts of the state are bracing for substantial losses.
Jan 7th, 2010 · Police in the Florida Keys seized several large marijuana plants from a wooded lot but the plants' owner was nowhere to be found. So police got creative and left a ransom note where the plants were found. It read: "Thanks for the grow! You want them back ? Call for the price." Police were shocked when several minutes later the phone rang. A price was set, a meeting place agreed on and the alleged grower was arrested.
Jan 6th, 2010 · The snowy, cold weather gripping most of the county is starting to affect the economy. It has disrupted travel and helped push up energy prices. Citrus growers also are working to try to protect their crops. Merchants report retails sales are down.
Dec 18th, 2009 · Citrus is a $9 billion industry in Florida and four years ago it took a major hit. A wave of powerful hurricanes and a crop disease called canker hobbled the crop. Then a new disease popped up called greening. Unlike canker, greening kills the tree. Growers were worried the industry was in major trouble, but now there are some promising signs.
Dec 1st, 2009 · Since medical marijuana was legalized in California, the illegal side of the business has also exploded. The state is spending millions of dollars to search for and wipe out as much illegal marijuana as they can find. One special agent says the state is targeting the big growers backed by drug cartels of "all races, creeds, colors."
Nov 30th, 2009 · It's boom times for the marijuana trade in Northern California. Rural Humboldt County's economy depends on both the legal and illegal sales of pot, as growers to trimmers to entrepreneurs aim to land quick cash. But some citizens, and the mayor of Arcata, are trying to "rope back in" the business.
Nov 16th, 2009 · Apple growers in New England are looking to hard cider as a way to beat dropping prices and foreign competition. The fermented cider was the drink of choice for the nation's founding fathers. One New Hampshire apple grower is out to turn the region into the Napa Valley of hard cider.