Major California Drought Could Spell 'Catastrophe' for Nation's Food Supply

[unhappycamper]

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2014/01/14-5



'Possibly hundreds of thousands of acres of land will go fallow' in California

Major California Drought Could Spell 'Catastrophe' for Nation's Food Supply
- Jacob Chamberlain, staff writer
Published on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 by Common Dreams

A major and unyielding drought in California is causing concern in the nation's "food basket," as farmers there say the U.S. food supply could be hit hard if the conditions in their state don't rapidly improve, Al Jazeera America reports Tuesday.

"This is the driest year in 100 years,” grower Joe Del Bosque told Al Jazeera, expressing concern that the hundreds of workers he employs for each year's harvest could be without a job this season.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 2013 was the driest on record for most areas of California, "smashing previous record dry years" across the state, including regions where approximately half the fruits, vegetables and nuts in the U.S. are grown.

Those conditions have not relented as 2014 begins with most of the state experiencing official 'severe' or 'extreme drought' conditions.

[GliderGuider]

1. Ruh-roh!

The rollercoaster ride of climate and food has begun.

[newfie11]

2. This is why we sold the farm in western NE panhandle

Ditch irrigation coming from reservoirs
In high Wyoming Mtns was less every year due to less snow.
This past summer our irrigation company had to buy water from another.
Water is definitely a major problem on the very near horizon.

[hunter]

3. It's scary here in California.

If this continues the loss of income within the farmworker community will be brutal.

[XemaSab]

4. Forecast is for sunny weather through Monday

with highs between 69 and 73.

It's actually really pretty out... but deeply concerning.

Here's a cam of Mt. Shasta right now:

[NickB79]

5. Good thing I'm converting more yard to garden this year, then

Planting a few more fruit trees, and getting friends lined up already for a test run at a home CSA vegetable delivery business.