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Mexican agreement to allow California avocados to be shipped to Mexico

Governor signs rural crime-prevention bill

A successful effort to combat rural crime in the Central Valley officially earned a new lease on life yesterday (Tuesday), when Governor Schwarzenegger signed a bill to extend the program. The new law continues the Central Valley Rural Crime Prevention Program through 2010. The California Farm Bureau says the program enhances rural communities by preventing and solving crimes on farms and ranches.

State establishes quarantine for root weevil

Saying it may take three to five years to eradicate a newly found, exotic pest, the state Department of Food and Agriculture established a three-square-mile quarantine zone yesterday in Orange County. The quarantine restricts movement of plants, soil and green waste. Its goal is to prevent the spread of the Diaprepes root weevil, which has been detected at 14 locations in Newport Beach. The weevil attacks citrus fruit and dozens of other crops.

CVP carries over more water into new season

Ample rain during the past fall and winter allows reservoirs to enter the new rainy season with more water in storage. The federal Central Valley Project says its reservoirs held more than 8 million acre-feet of water, when the new "water year" began on October 1st. That's higher than average and about 40 percent more water than the same reservoirs held at this time a year ago. CVP reservoirs supply water for farms, cities and environmental purposes.

Hass avocado growers eye Mexican market

The announcement that Mexico will begin buying California-grown Hass avocados comes at a good time for the state's farmers. With a bumper crop expected in the coming season, farmers will welcome the additional marketing possibilities that Mexico affords. The U.S. and Mexican governments announced an agreement on avocado sales last week. California growers say they expect Mexican border cities to be especially strong markets for their fruit.

On the Calendar:
The theme is "Harvest the Fun," as the Big Fresno Fair opens today (Wednesday) in Fresno.

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