[tubebender]

Thanks for a diversion form the sniper and political threads. My sister and her husband own 40 acres and lease about 80 more south of Fresno near JustAmy . They will give up the leased acreage and their son will probably lose his 30 acres near Fowler. They still have raisins in reserve from 3 years ago I think. Maybe Amy can shed some light on the reserve system for raisins.

[farmfriend]

Walt said these were number 1s. They were number 1 in my book.

Bump and add to this thread at will.

[JustAmy]

The state of Fresno County Raisin and Wine Industries is on the very brink of disaster. (I'm so glad we retired!) Lending companies on having to foreclose on many vineyards. They then hire someone to manage the acres and try to sell the property in a depressed market.
I will look for some statistics to post later but my BIL has a small vineyard with the grapes used for wine. The winery came out with a price of $75.00 to $80.00 per ton. It cost him $65.00 per ton to harvest and haul the grapes. That leaves $10 to $15 per ton for property taxes, water costs, tractor expense, labor for pruning and tying, etc.
To get by grape farmers in the Central Valley must get a second job to feed his family.

I'm sorry to hear about your nephew. Hope this program will save the property for him and many more who have poured their lives into farming.