Ag Watch: Valley peach farmers impacted by Del Monte closure

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fourth-generation farmer Johnnie Siliznoff of Kerman once grew 50 acres of cling peaches.

He had a contract to deliver them each year to Del Monte.

"They were doing well," he said. "No problems, no problems with pay. Then this year, it was 'it's over.'"

With no other market for the peaches, the trees had to be ripped out of the ground.

The removal of several orchards left a glaring vacancy on his farm.

Johnnie also grows raisin grapes, almonds and pistachios but those cling peaches were his main money maker.

For two decades, he knew his fruit was sold inside those familiar Del Monte cans.

"Oh, that meant a lot," he said.

Johnnie takes the setback in stride. Farmers always deal with some type of uncertainty.

"You don't know about water," he said. "You don't know about regulation. You don't know about pricing. You don't know about labor."

Senator Adam Schiff visited the Valley last week to let impacted growers know $9 million in federal funds was available.

"The way I hear it, it's going to be $200 per ton, per acre that you delivered last year," he said. "I delivered 20 tons. They're going to give me $4,000."

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