As you’ve probably heard, California is experiencing a catastrophic drought. Three years of record low rainfall have left the state’s water reserves at 16% of the average levels. In a state with 81,700 farms, producing half of the country’s fruits and vegetables, a drought of this magnitude is deeply concerning.
Farmers across the state are being hit hard by the drought. The Central Valley, California’s and the world’s most agriculturally productive region, the worst so. Central Valley farmers are paying sometimes 10 times more for water. As sourcing affordable water has gotten tougher, many farmers are drilling groundwater wells to keep the spigots on. The rush on groundwater supplies has been so intense that many parts of the Central Valley have actually begun to sink as reductions in underwater aquifers destabilize land mass.
Even with the rush of groundwater pumping, as much as 500,000 acres of farmland are being left to fallow. Expensive water and less land under production means less food produced and higher food prices. The federal government projects a 6% national rise in fruit and vegetable prices, but local markets here in CA could be impacted more severely. Drought in other western states like Texas and Oklahoma has spurred a 9% rise in beef prices as well.
At Frog Hollow we’ve been able to weather the drought mostly unscathed as of now. We’ve not had our water supplies curtailed or experienced a significant increase in price. And more importantly, because of our extensive sustainability practices, our orchards are more resilient than most to water shortages.
Our composting program does much to support water conservation on the farm. The healthy microbial populations created by the compost augment the soil structure to make it more permeable and enhance its ability to retain water. Composting also adds organic material to the soil which absorbs water, again increasing water holding capacity. In addition to composting, we conserve water by planting cover crops and allowing “weeds” to cover much of the orchard. Having plant coverage like this help keep water in the soil, by eliminating erosion, adding organic material, and bolstering the soils water retaining structure.
We are also diligent in making sure we are watering as efficiently as possible. Our drip irrigation system is set up to water only areas where tree roots are present. And, our long standing practice is to water as little as possible so as to reduce water content in our fruit, thus spiking its’ flavor.
But even with our luck in water rights and commitment to water conservation, we are not impregnable to the effect of this drought. If coming weeks don’t bring more water, we may need to begin making the tough choices that many of our fellow Californian farmers have.
Amidst the distressing challenges of this drought, the most troubling is the possibility that this is not an isolated event but the beginning of a major climate shift. We won’t know the answer to that question for many months or years to come. Humbled, we can’t help but question what must be done to ensure the sustainability of our industry and our food system.
Now, more than ever we appreciate your support. Thank you for standing by us and supporting not just our farm, but the local food movement by choosing community supported agriculture. The farmers of California appreciate it!