Farmers Form Coalition To Oppose Save Open-Space & Agricultural Resources Initiative

The owners of some of Oceanside’s largest farms have formed a coalition to oppose a ballot initiative they say would make it tougher for them to sell or improve their property.

“It’s basically the commercial farmers here in South Morro Hills,” said Michelle Castellano, an employee of Mellano and Company, which farms about 300 acres, primarily flowers and avocados, in the northwest corner of Oceanside.

“We actually see SOAR as a threat that will put commercial farming out of business,” said Castellano, one of about 30 members of the coalition called Keep Farming in Oceanside. “We are just trying to get that information out.”

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