By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – The blackberry could soon have some competition for its status as Alabama's official state fruit. A bill is scheduled for debate in the state House Tuesday that would make the peach the official state tree fruit. By using that tree fruit designation, bill sponsor, Clanton Representative Jimmy Martin, says the Legislature can recognize the peach without stripping the blackberry of its title. Lawmakers passed a bill in 2004 making the blackberry the official state fruit. But Martin is from Chilton County, which is famous for its peaches. He says he hopes his bill will give recognition to county peach farmers.