Proceedings for consolidation may be initiated by the filing of a petition for consolidation with the board of each district to be consolidated. Each petition shall be signed by the owners of 51 percent by area of the citrus land in the district. Upon the filing of a petition, the board of directors shall adopt a resolution which recites the fact of receipt and the willingness of the district to consolidate, and shall then send copies of the petition and resolution to the board of directors of each of the other districts. The board shall send the original petition and a certified copy of the resolution to the board of supervisors of the county in which is located the largest area of citrus acreage of the proposed consolidated district, and a copy of the petition and resolution to the board of supervisors of each of the other counties in which is located any part of the proposed consolidated district.