California lake levels at historic lows.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

Okay, I did a little research. Here's an article from SF Gate about how farmers even get subsidies to buy insurance on their crops. It also talks about the subsidies almond farmers get.

Large farms' crop insurance subsidies criticized - SFGate

Then, they'll probably get disaster aid, too.

So, buy Spanish almonds, if CA almond conglomerates decide to also raise prices on crops that are subsidized and insured by the govt, and probably benefited from disaster aid, too. I bet they taste the same

[JGC97]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

Therefore, we should all commit suicide? What?

And do you know any almond farmers? I met one once who gets govt subsidies to grow almonds of some sort. They were boasting about what a score it was as far as subsidies or tax write-offs or something. They probably get some kind of subsidies for tearing out the trees, too.

I used to get freaked out about this stuff, but I'm too old now. I've seen the cycles. They come, they go. If it's a big enough news story, there's federal money in it. Then state money from the federal money to the folk who know how to get it because of the "disaster."

For you and I, it's just a higher water bill, and forced rationing. Until we get another wet year.

I feel another yawn coming on...

Oh, and thanks to NAFTA, we don't have to rely only on CA agribusiness for cheap produce anymore.

Yawn all you like. For some, it's an interesting discussion. Maybe not your interest but interesting, nonetheless. And no. No one needs to consider suicide. And no one is freaking out, as you think. There's no need for sarcasm. I merely pointed out what will happen to agriculture when drought conditions occur and continue for a long period of time.

And yes, I do know several almond growers. Not only almonds, but walnuts, grapes and a few cattle ranchers. You can't help that when you grow up and live in an area of the state where farming and ranching is predominant. But that's beside the point. My comments had nothing to do with subsidies (which I know farmers receive). It had to do with the lack of water available for crops and I will reiterate. Waiting to see what happens until May is naïve when farmers plant their crops early in Spring for Summer harvest. So, I will stay on topic with regard to the lack of rain and low lake levels and leave the farmers subsidies for another thread.

[Hawk J]

We used to do a lot of camping/fishing, from Tracy to Firebaugh, along the Delta/Mendota & CA Aqueduct canals. We camped in our ol 1978 American clipper 'C' motorhome. We caught catfish & Striped Bass. Water flowed through the gates from the CA Delta. We've had many FUN times with family & friends, over the years...

I noticed the fruit & nut orchards got irrigation water from the canals through valves along the canals. Water tanker trucks would pump water out of the Delta/Mendota. I noticed many beehives in the orchards.

Sometimes in the evening we sat outside watching the heat lightning, in the distance, over towards Modesto...

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

Originally Posted by HereOnMars

and I will reiterate. Waiting to see what happens until May is naïve when farmers plant their crops early in Spring for Summer harvest.

Okay, let's drop the fact that the poor farmers pulling up their trees because of the drought get tons of govt money, therefore, I don't think anyone should feel sorry for them.

Let's discuss my naivete. If I wasn't naive, what would happen or not happen?

Let's say I don't wait until May to see how we are water-wise. Then what?

What should I, and anyone else in CA, do that would not be naive with regards to water levels that may or may not rise by May?

If this thread is truly not just about freaking out over the drought, let's get proactive here? What shall we DO?

[happyinca]

Here is a way to be proactive. Everyone can incorporate these tips:

Aquafornia