In some areas of California it’s so dry that farmers aren’t even bothering to plant crops this season.
Growers north of San Francisco have begun pulling out of local farmers markets and produce-box programs.
County Line Harvest, which farms more than 30 acres in Petaluma, doesn’t have enough water to grow all the peppers, lettuces and other produce that normally go into its subscription boxes, according to a video on its Instagram page. Nearby farms are saying the same, underscoring the effect of the extended dry spell.
As the San Joaquin Valley braces for yet another season of drought, some growers are openly questioning the future of farming here.
April 26, 2021
California grows a third of the United States’ vegetables and two-thirds of the nation’s fruits and nuts. If dry weather hampers the produce powerhouse, that could add to the food price inflation that’s already starting to grip the U.S. economy.
“Due to severe drought, for the first time in 21 years, we will not be able to grow this summer in Petaluma,” County Line said in its post.
Drew Lerner, president of World Weather Inc. in Kansas, said California “missed the rainy season” and won’t see much moisture over the next several months.
A La Niña weather pattern in the Pacific pushed winter storms north and away from the state, leaving it with less moisture than usual. As California gets the majority of its water from winter storms, little relief is expected before October.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has extended the emergency drought order to 41 counties — dramatically expanding his order from nearly three weeks ago.
May 10, 2021
That has left growers such as Shao Shan Farm in a bind. The business can’t offer the selection of Asian vegetables and Bay Area staples it usually grows at its Bolinas location, according to its website.
Nearby, Green Valley Community Farm has access to only about 5% of the water it usually relies on, owner David Plescia said. He’s looking for new land with better water availability, and also has a permit in the works to grow cannabis to make up for the lost income. If it doesn’t come through, he’ll leave the fields empty.
“It’s part of our generation’s cross to bear, figuring out how to run small- or medium-scale farm businesses in this kind of atmosphere” of highly variable rainfall, Plescia said.
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May 18, 2021
FAQs
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) pays a yearly rental payment in exchange for farmers removing environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and planting species that will improve environmental quality.
How does the California drought affect farmers? ›
In some locations, crops such as almonds, berries and tomatoes had decreased yields due to water stress, but also because of heatwaves. In addition to drought impacts, California's ag economy also suffered from disruptions in the supply chain, including delays in shipping crops out of California.
Is California paying farmers not to farm? ›
California program pays farmers to fallow fields to preserve water amid drought. With climate change and drought, the state of California is incentivizing not using farmland or fallowing it. The move comes as irrigation in some areas is damaging residential wells.
What do farmers do when there is a drought? ›
Maintain and establish riparian buffers, filter strips, grassed waterways, and other types of conservation buffers near streams and other sources of water. 11. Consider plowing with a subsoiler, ripper or Keyline plough that will increase water-holding capacity of soil and help to build topsoil.
Does the US government pay farmers to not grow crops? ›
Who ever heard of paying someone NOT to do something? The U.S. farm program pays subsidies to farmers not to grow crops in environmentally sensitive areas and makes payments to farmers based on what they have grown historically, even though they may no longer grow that crop.
Did the AAA pay farmers not to grow crops? ›
The Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) was a United States federal law of the New Deal era designed to boost agricultural prices by reducing surpluses. The government bought livestock for slaughter and paid farmers subsidies not to plant on part of their land.
What crop is most affected by drought? ›
Agriculture Affected by Drought for Apr 9, 2024
| Commodity | % Area Affected by Drought |
|---|
| Corn production | 23 |
| Cotton production | 11 |
| Durum Wheat production | 23 |
| Peanut production | 1 |
9 more rowsThe Californian drought is having damaging effects on the state, including withering essential winter crops, and contributing to food inflation. The ongoing drought in California first started in 2020 but continues to impact food supplies, with tomatoes, onion and garlic taking the brunt of the lack of rainfall.
What are the problems with farming in California? ›
The major challenges are land availability, water supply and quality, and economics. California agriculture can serve as a microcosm of the United States. Most often, as goes California, so goes the nation.
What program paid farmers not to grow crops? ›
About the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
In exchange for a yearly rental payment, farmers enrolled in the program agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality.
In 1933 a federal law from the New Deal era was put into place. This was the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933. The act reduced production by paying farmers subsidies to not plant on part of their land and to kill off excess livestock.
What organization paid farmers to stop over producing crops? ›
The Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA) brought relief to farmers by paying them to curtail production, reducing surpluses, and raising prices for agricultural products.
What program tried to raise farm prices by paying farmers not to farm? ›
The Agricultural Adjustment Act helped farmers by raising the prices of crops and paying them for land not used. Roosevelt wanted farmers to reduce how much of their land they farmed on and the U.S. government paid farmers directly for the money they would have made if they farmed the vacant land.
