Mercedes was one of the first Rio Grande Valley cities established between Brownsville and the Starr County communities of Roma and Rio Grande City. There was the American Rio Grande Land & Irrigation Company setting up operations in what would become Mercedes in 1909. The land company and its investors brought one of the first east-west railroad extensions from Brownsville to Mercedes and into the heart of what would become…
The City of Pharr and the Pharr International Bridge will host a special event “A Taste of Trade” to initiate the start of the 2022-2023 produce season on Oct. 6. The event, which is open to the public, includes produce growers, importers, distributors and consumers from the United States and Mexico. The annual “Start of the Produce Season” event takes place from 10 a.m. to noon at the Pharr International…
The Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for both state and federal waters will reopen 30 minutes after sunset on July 15. Biologists evaluate the biological, social and economic impact when deciding the opening date to maximize the benefits to the industry and the public. In making its determination, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Coastal Fisheries Division used the best available data from samples collected during routine trawls and…
Job opportunities in the agriculture sector are increasing in Texas, and with no other two-year agriculture program in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas Southmost College is filling the need with its new Agriculture and Agribusiness programs beginning fall 2022. “Whenever we consider creating a new program, we look into the demand, the job opportunities in that particular field and after extensive research, we found that there are diverse opportunities in…
The Pharr International Bridge will host a special event to initiate the start of the 2021-2022 Produce Season Oct. 7. Officials invite the public to celebrate alongside produce growers, importers, distributors, and consumers from the United States and Mexico. The annual “Start of the Produce Season” event begins at 10 a.m. at the bridge, 9900 South Cage Blvd. “The Pharr International Bridge continues to remain the number-one produce gateway in the…
The Mexican-grown Persian limes are rolling down the conveyor belts at ColiMex in Weslaco. Workers are sorting and inspecting the fruit. Boxes of “Fresh Quality Limes” are stacked high on pallets near an open warehouse door, waiting for delivery. The limes at the Weslaco plant will be shipped across the country to some of the nation’s best known national and regional grocers. Food service companies are also major buyers in…
The private recreational angler red snapper season in federal waters will close at 12:01 a.m. Aug. 5. State waters out to nine nautical miles will remain open with a four-fish daily bag limit and a 15-inch minimum. Under an agreement between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the National Marine Fisheries Service, TPWD can establish the opening and closing of the red snapper fishery in federal waters off Texas.…
Weslaco often touts itself as a strategic mid-point in the Rio Grande Valley. Here, goods and services can move quickly and efficiently to all points in the region. The marketing pitch rang true to Robinson Fresh, one of the largest produce companies nationally. It is making a move to utilize a 46,000-square-foot facility at the Mid-Valley Industrial Park which will serve as a storage and distribution point for fresh produce…
Miguel Lozano holds a tiny wooden box with a mesh top and points to what’s crawling underneath it. There’s a queen bee in there of European origin. It’s an important distinction, he said, because when she’s put in a hive, this queen will center a cluster of bees with Africanized roots, the ones dubbed “killer bees.” “She will calm the box,” Lozano said, looking out toward several hives in boxes…
City of Pharr officials and Pharr International Bridge leaders recently celebrated the start of the 2020-2021 Produce Season. Also attending the bi-annual celebration at the bridge were produce growers, importers, distributors, and consumers from the United States and Mexico “The Pharr International Bridge is the heart and soul of Pharr for economic development,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez. “We are especially proud of the hard work of our bridge staff…