The receding waterline of Lake Hodges is seen in San Diego County Jan. 17, 2014, when California Governor Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency.

Considering the true cost of agricultural production systems

Externalizing the cost of production is becoming less acceptable to society

California is in the midst of a multi-year drought that has reduced the snowpack and rains that fill the reservoirs and irrigation canals that provide water for the cities of the state as well as agricultural production. The result is lower allocations and higher prices for all water users including agriculture. Some farmers have responded

Desperate California To Get More Water At Last

Drought-stricken farmers and cities across California were granted a measure of relief Feb. 26 when federal and state officials said they expected to supply significantly more water this year than last. The announcements came as welcome news in the nation’s No. 1 farm state, where dramatic cutbacks in water deliveries by the U. S. Bureau


Senator Suggests Truce In California’s Water Fight

Senator Dianne Feinstein, who angered environmentalists, fishing groups and other Democratic lawmakers by proposing to divert more water to California’s farmers, said Feb. 19 she was working to avoid controversial legislation. Feinstein’s plan would ease Endangered Species Act restrictions to allow more water to be pumped out of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta for growers

Rain Doesn’t End California Water Fight

California has been deluged with rain and snow this winter, but its epic tug of war over water rages on, this time in the form of a plan by U. S. Senator Dianne Feinstein to divert more water to the state’s farmers. Feinstein has infuriated environmental activists, fishing groups and even fellow California Democrats by


City And Farming Water Needs Collide

“I don’t think the American public has gripped in its gut what could happen. We’re looking at a scenario where there’s no more agriculture in California.” – U. S. ENERGY SECRETARY STEVEN CHU California almond farmer Marvin Meyers has moved into banking – water banking that is. In the heart of the San Joaquin Valley,

California Farms Lose Main Water Source To Drought

California’s main source of irrigation water is expected to go dry this year for most of its growers due to drought, idling at least 60,000 workers and up to one million acres of farmland, federal officials and experts said Feb. 20. The zero allocation for most of the farmers who buy water from the federally