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Comments about the California Property Owners and Farmland Protection Act

Groups support property-protection measure

Three statewide organizations have joined forces to promote a ballot initiative, which would reform rules affecting government power to condemn land. The California Farm Bureau, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the California Alliance to Protect Private Property Rights sponsor the measure. It would address concerns raised by a U.S. Supreme Court decision two years ago, giving governments the right to condemn private property and grant it to another private owner.

Farmers harvest high-quality avocados

The avocado market appears to favor both farmers and consumers right now. Marketers report plenty of good-quality fruit available, even though the overall crop is slightly smaller. California avocado growers report their crop survived the January freeze better than they expected. Most of the fruit for sale in California right now comes from within the state, while Mexican avocados are being imported to other states. Demand for avocados remains strong.

Cling-peach harvest starts in Central Valley

Coming off their second-smallest crop ever, farmers who grow cling peaches say their trees have more fruit this year as a result of better weather. Analysts say the exact size of the crop remains a subject for debate. The cling-peach harvest has begun in the Kingsburg area, and the rest of the state's farmers are about to start. Most cling peaches are sold for processing and California is the only place in the United States where they're grown.

Natural compound may fight garlic and onion fungus

A fungus known as white rot has taken a toll on garlic and onion production in California, and authorities want to learn if a naturally based compound can fight it. The state Department of Pesticide Regulation said yesterday (Monday) it had provided a grant for field testing of the natural fungus fighter. Researchers found the compound within garlic and onions. At concentrated levels, they say, it may be able to combat the white rot fungus without use of fumigants.

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