Only a few bright spots state farmland values slip lower

摘要

Real estate brokers and appraisers of California farmland agree that while there are a few bright spots, overall agricultural land values in the Golden State slipped to lower levels during 2001. "Historically, agriculture is a cyclical business andit's no secret that we are on a down cycle. Hopefully, we are at the bottom end of one of those cycles," says Bill Aten of the Aten Company, a Fresno firm that specializes in agricultural real estate services. "Those farming cotton, grapes and olives arehaving major struggles. Many have found themselves in a deep hole, walking on eggshells financially, looking up...hoping to see some daylight." Dan Kevorkian, farm department manager at Pearson Realty in Fresno, California's largest agricultural real estate firm, reported the sale of tree fruit acreage was in high demand overall and sales activity was considered active. As usual, there was a big demand for tree fruit land in the historic Reedley, Dinuba, Parlier, Kingsburg and Sanger areas in the Central San Joaquin Valley. There is especially high demand for smaller parcels -- 20s 40s and 60-acre pieces. The top tree fruit acreage sold in the 6,500 dollar to 8,000 dollar an acre range during 2001.