Dear CSA Members,
Governor Brown’s executive order to reduce water consumption by 25% statewide comes on the heels of a growing body of evidence that the drought in California is exceptional. It could, in fact, be a harbinger of a mega-drought. Megadroughts are long periods, around 30 years, of reduced precipitation and loss of soil moisture. The last megadroughts in North America occurred in the 12th and 13th centuries and were caused by natural changing weather conditions. There is always a risk of megadroughts occurring, but the changes humans have made to the planet, resulting in climate change, have increased our odds significantly of having one within this century.
Many of us read the article stating that California has only one year of water left in its reservoirs. While residents get water from sources other than reservoirs, such as ground water from aquifers, this should still be a scary fact. So much water is being pumped up from the ground that the earth beneath our feet is actually sinking as water is displaced. And with minimal rain and snowfall, the water is not being replaced. Humans are changing the world in a way never experienced before, and the consequences will be difficult to foresee. California grows a majority of the fruits and vegetables in the United States, and I believe this drought will force people to see how precious our food really is.
At Frog Hollow Farm, we are working to increase the water holding capacity of our soil by spreading compost and using cover crops. We are all doing our part at home, too. I’ll be implementing a showering style I picked up while traveling in Asia that I call bucket showers (which is very common in many countries). You fill up a 5 gallon bucket with water, sit on a little seat in the bathtub, and use a pitcher to throw water over yourself. Many employees here catch their greywater from dishes and bathing to reuse it on their plants. Sarah and Lael have stopped watering their lawns entirely.
Everyone’s small efforts can lead to a big difference!