Paul wrote:

>> Here in Bakersfield, the farmers markets are disappointing. I think
>> they are taking advantage of a lot of people not knowing what ripe
>> fruit looks and smells like.. Not only fruit too.. They are selling
>> grossly underripened fruit...and I keep on telling them that if they
>> want me to buy it, they will have to have it a bit riper.
>>
>> The corn is good though..
>
>
> Lousy farmer's markets in Bakersfield? I know that urban sprawl has hit
> them hard but are all the farms gone?

Quite a few farms in the area have been affected by the political decision
to cut off agricultural water, a decision which seems to have been made out
of spite. (Google [California dust bowl congress Obama].)

The remaining farms can get better prices (and less loss due to spoilage) if
they sell unripe produce to wholesale markets.

Bob