Not a Drop of Water for California Fruits and Vegetables

The main source of irrigated water in the Central Valley of California is bone dry, according to the federal government and California's, which announced initial 2009 water allociations on February 20. With the continued multi-year drought, 0% of the projected water supply will be allocated to Valley agriculture. The government has indicated that the allocation could increase later in the season, if rainfall improves. But the initial zero allocation is extremely bad news for the Valley's agricultural economy and workers, with layoffs in store. And the news is not so good for consumers either. About half the fruits, vegetables and nuts grown in the United States are grown in the Central Valley, so we can expect higher prices for produce and nuts.

All the more reason to get a head start on that backyard vegetable garden.