BEIJING and CLAREMONT, Calif., May 21, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kiwa Bio-Tech Products Group Corporation (OTCBB:KWBT) announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012.

NEW YORK, May 18, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EcoHealth Alliance, a nonprofit organization that focuses on local conservation and global health issues, and USGS -- National Wildlife Health Center announced the award of a grant received from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to research environmental factors that contribute to the increase and spread of white-nose syndrome in U.S. bat species. In collaboration with USGS -- National Wildlife Health Center, EcoHealth Alliance scientists will research the factors that drive the spread of the fungal disease that causes white-nose syndrome, namely Geomyces destructans, and environmental conditions within caves that affect hibernating bats and the growth of the deadly fungus. The funding will be spread across varied activities targeting eight hibernation zones in multiple states in the eastern U.S., monitoring micro-climate changes within caves, and detecting fungal loads in bats, soil and rock surfaces where Geomyces destructans is known to be present. The research will test whether environmental factors may play a larger role in the proliferation of the deadly disease. "Bats are crucial to healthy ecosystems acting as a natural form of insect control, keeping populations of agricultural pests and disease vectors in check," said Dr. Jon Epstein, wildlife veterinarian and Associate Vice President of EcoHealth Alliance. The team of scientists will also develop and test predictive models to forecast white nose syndrome's progression across the U.S. and Canada. The fungus causing white nose syndrome has impacted bat species with a reported 5.5 million bats dead in the northeast. "We're in a race against time as this fungus spreads westwards, threatening bat populations across the U.S. and Canada," says senior research scientist Kevin Olival and co-principal investigator. It has been confirmed that white nose syndrome is present in 19 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces. EcoHealth Alliance's local conservation and global public health programs stem from the organization's mission to integrate hard science and meaningful partnerships to combat the issues that stem from failing ecosystems, human/wildlife conflict and the resulting emergence of infectious diseases. "Our goal is to better understand the dynamics of Geomyces destructans by investigating how and why it thrives. This will give conservation scientists the opportunity to develop targeted solutions to try and stop the fungus' spread," said Dr. Peter Daszak, disease ecologist and President of EcoHealth Alliance. For over 40 years, EcoHealth Alliance continues its focus on the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. The organization's groundbreaking work studying the ecology of bats and the zoonotic viruses that often malign the species has uncovered the source of the SARS virus, as well as led to new understanding of the spread of Nipah virus in Malaysia and Bangladesh. Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced seven grant awards totaling approximately $1.4 million providing critical support for the investigation of white nose syndrome. Of the 31 grant proposals, only seven grants were awarded giving EcoHealth Alliance and USGS -- National Wildlife Health Center the opportunity to better detect and understand the factors causing the spread of white nose syndrome. About EcoHealth Alliance Building on over 40 years of groundbreaking science, EcoHealth Alliance is a global, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting wildlife and safeguarding human health from the emergence of disease. The organization develops ways to combat the effects of damaged ecosystems on human and wildlife health. Using environmental and health data covering the past 60 years, EcoHealth Alliance scientists created the first-ever, global disease hotspots map that identified at-risk regions, to help predict and prevent the next pandemic crisis. That work is the foundation of EcoHealth Alliance's rigorous, science-based approach, focused at the intersection of the environment, health, and capacity building. Working in the U.S. and more than 20 countries worldwide, EcoHealth Alliance's strength is founded on innovations in research, training, global partnerships, and policy initiatives. For more information, please visit www.ecohealthalliance.org.

WASHINGTON, May 18, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- President Barack Obama, with G8 and African leaders, will convene today at a symposium hosted by The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, to announce a new G8 initiative to advance agricultural development and food and nutrition security in Africa. The symposium, Advancing Food and Nutrition Security at the 2012 G8 Summit, will feature significant new business commitments for African agriculture and discussions on addressing hunger and poverty in the changing development landscape.

NEW ORLEANS, May 15, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westway Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:WWAY) today reported an 18% increase in consolidated net income for the first quarter of $2.5 million, compared to $2.1 million for the first quarter of 2011. Westway Group Inc. also recognized consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2012 of $12.1 million compared to $12.0 million for the first quarter of 2011.

SAN FRANCISCO, May 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Previewing its upcoming expansion in the Bay Area, Full Circle, a leading organic produce delivery service, today launched Dinner's On Us, a sweepstakes celebrating local food and community. The Facebook-based sweepstakes is designed to support Bay Area food banks while introducing Full Circle's local & organic produce delivery service to consumers in the greater Bay Area. "Full Circle believes changing the food system starts at home, and one of the easiest ways to make a difference is to think carefully about how your food is grown and where it comes from," said Andrew Stout, founder and CEO of Full Circle. "We've been working with dozens of California's top organic farmers for nearly a decade now, so we are very excited to be expanding our delivery service in the Bay Area." Established in 1996 in Carnation, WA, Full Circle provides local and organically grown farm-fresh produce directly to over 18,000 members throughout Washington, California, Idaho and Alaska. Full Circle joined forces with Eating With the Seasons, a Bay Area organic food delivery concern, in October 2011, and will soon be expanding that presence to serve even more Northern California customers. Through its Dinner's On Us Sweepstakes, for every "Like" received on its Facebook page Full Circle will donate one pound of organic produce to the San Francisco and Marin Food Banks, and the Alameda County Community Food Bank. In addition to supporting food banks, entrants will also be eligible to win one of the following:

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) ---- LS9, Inc., a technology leader in the development of renewable and sustainable products, today announced an investment from the Florida Opportunity Fund's (FOF) Clean Energy Investment Program, and the Grand Opening plans for its facility in Okeechobee, Florida.

NEW YORK, May 11, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is encouraging employers across the country to recruit minority students for job opportunities related to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). "Many students start out pursuing STEM degrees, but they often end up discouraged, and change their major," states Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., TMCF's President & CEO. "We want to help ensure these students get the attention and guidance they need to not only graduate, but to find good jobs in their chosen STEM fields."

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., May 11, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BeesFree, Inc. (OTCBB:BEES) reports that last night's news report by Brian Williams on NBC Nightly News highlighted the potential devastating effects of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Mr. Williams referred to the mysterious disappearance of bees as a situation that is "as big and as urgent as any other, a story we have been talking about for a while. Something has been causing honeybees to disappear since about 2006. Beekeepers estimate their colonies are down 30%. Given all that bees do in the natural world, this could be catastrophic."

FORT MYERS, Fla., May 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alico, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALCO) ("Alico"), a land management company, today announced financial results for the second quarter and six months ended March 31, 2012.

NEW ORLEANS, May 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westway Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:WWAY) ("Westway" or the "Company") today announced that on May 9, 2012, its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.04 per share of common stock payable on July 23, 2012 to holders of record of the Company's common stock and participating preferred stock on May 23, 2012. The dividend will be payable in cash or shares of the Company's common stock, or a combination thereof, at the election of each shareholder, subject to a limitation on the aggregate amount of cash payable in satisfaction of the dividend.

OMAHA, Neb., May 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq:GPRE) announces today that Todd Becker, President and Chief Executive Officer, will present at the BMO Capital Markets 2012 Farm to Market Conference in New York City on May 15, 2012.

TORONTO, May 8, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SunOpta Inc. ("SunOpta" or "the Company") (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY), a leading global company focused on natural, organic and specialty foods, today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. All amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars and results are reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP, except where specifically noted.

LAS VEGAS, May 8, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TransAKT Ltd. (OTCQB:TAKD) ("TransAKT") and Vegfab Agricultural Co. Ltd. ("Vegfab") today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which TransAKT will acquire Vegfab, a Taiwanese company, for the sum of US$5,500,000. The purchase price is being paid by the delivery to Vegfab of: (i) US$1,000,000 in cash; and (ii) 150,000,000 common voting shares issued by TransAKT Ltd., with a deemed value of US$0.03 per share.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., May 7, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BeesFree, Inc. (OTCBB:BEES), a company that has developed an innovative solution (BeesVita Plus(tm)) and a unique delivery system (the Beespenser(tm)) to help honeybees avoid the effects of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), received a significant order for delivery in the Republic of South Africa.

JUPITER, Fla., May 3, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GelTech Solutions, Inc. (OTCBB:GLTC), creators of FireIce, a revolutionary water enhancing fire suppressant that has the potential to change current firefighting techniques globally, and Soil2O Dust Control, a cost effective, environmentally friendly solution for airborne dust control, announces United States Forest Service (US Forest Service) approval of blanket purchase agreements which provide the framework and pricing under which the US Forest Service may, at its discretion, process purchase orders requesting that GelTech provide product and mobile retardant bases in support of aerial firefighting operations for all land-based aircraft used by the US Forest Service, as well as, to provide product and services in support of ground attack operations on wildfires on any federal or state lands.

FORT MYERS, Fla., May 2, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alico, Inc. ("Alico") (Nasdaq:ALCO), a land management company primarily engaged in a variety of agribusiness pursuits, announced that its Board of Directors, at a meeting held on April 27, 2012, declared a third quarter cash dividend in the amount of $0.04 per share on its outstanding common stock. The dividend is to be paid to shareholders of record as of June 29, 2012, with the payment expected on July 16, 2012.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., April 27, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BeesFree, Inc. (OTCBB:BEES), a company that owns patent pending technology that arrests the effects of CCD (Colony Collapse Disorder) on honeybees, is pleased to announce that Mr. Joseph Becker has been elected to its Board of Directors.

WASHINGTON, April 26, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. government has made major strides toward putting agricultural development back at the top of its foreign assistance agenda, reversing a three-decade long downward trend in U.S. global food security activities, says a new report issued by The Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

ST. LOUIS, April 18, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ag Innovation Showcase, one of the most influential forums about agricultural technology in the U.S., will be held Sept. 10-12, 2012, at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis.

REHOVOT, Israel, April 18, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rosetta Green Ltd. (TASE:RSTG), which specializes in crop improvement for the agriculture and alternative fuel industries using unique genes called microRNAs, has successfully completed an experiment producing human growth hormone and validated its biological activity. Proteins produced by both treated and control algae were tested with an in vitro activity test assay by an independent third party using the conventional proliferation method. The activity test assay found that Rosetta Green's treated algae exhibited hormonal activity.