Report on recent freeze released

FALLBROOK — San Diego County Farm Bureau Executive Director Eric Larson announced Tuesday at the Fallbrook Village Rotary meeting that the final report has just been completed on the freeze that caused severe agricultural damage to the area in January. “Three thousand farms were affected within the county,” said Larson. “We had over $115 million in lost crops, and when you factor that it means $402 million in economic impact.” Larson said 22 types of agricultural crops were affected countywide.

The greatest loss was experienced in avocado crops ($37 million); the second largest loss was in small bedding plants ($25 million); and third was ornamental trees and shrubs at $16 million.