Thursday, February 13, 2014

News articles and links from February 13, 2014


Water Supply

From: Staff, Your Central Valley

Anticipation is growing as President Obama's visit to the Central Valley draws near. The commander in chief will touch down in Fresno on Friday. Details of the visit are being kept under wraps for now. One Firebaugh farmer has hopes and expectations for Fridays presidential visit.

From: Staff, Kern Golden Empire

Governor Jerry Brown made a stop at the World Ag Expo in Tulare Wednesday to address concerns about the drought. But he didn't stay long, answering few questions about how he's going to help growers get through what will likely be a long, hot and dry summer.

From: Staff, KOVR 13

Gov. Jerry Brown visited California's drought-stricken agricultural heartland on Wednesday and called on Republicans and Democrats in Congress to strike a compromise that will benefit the region and nation.

From: Kevin McCarthy, David Valadao & Devin Nunes, Sacramento Bee 

It appears that Washington has awakened to the current water woes of the West Coast. Late last week, the White House announced that President Barack Obama will visit Fresno on Friday to review and discuss federal relief efforts in response to the drought. Prior to that, the president had called Gov. Jerry Brown to express his support for our state and had mentioned to Rep. Kevin McCarthy at the State of the Union address that he had his eye on the issue. This drought has national significance; an outsized percentage of the nation's food supply is grown in California, which is the nation's No. 1 producer of fruits, vegetables and nuts.

From: Editorial, Sacramento Bee

With more than three-quarters of the state suffering extreme to exceptional drought, old, unhealthy disputes are resurfacing. House Republicans, led by members from the southern San Joaquin Valley, passed a bill last week that amounts to a water grab for the south Valley. Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer have introduced a more reasonable bill that can be debated and amended to meet the needs of the entire state.

From: Editorial, Sacramento Bee

With more than three-quarters of the state suffering extreme to exceptional drought, old, unhealthy disputes are resurfacing. House Republicans, led by members from the southern San Joaquin Valley, passed a bill last week that amounts to a water grab for the south Valley. Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer have introduced a more reasonable bill that can be debated and amended to meet the needs of the entire state.

From: Mary-Lynn Cesar, Kapitall Wire 

When it comes to agriculture in the US, no state generates more money for the industry than California. The Golden State, the nation's top agricultural producer since 1948, grows almost half of all domestic fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Its agricultural revenue reached a record $44.7 billion 
in 2012, exceeding second-ranked Iowa's sales by 28.5%.

From: Evelyn Nieves, Salon

When the rain finally came, it stayed three days, turning the rutted roads in this old farm town into a mess of pools and puddles. But calamity is still on its way. The farms in and around Mendota are dying of thirst. The signs are everywhere. Orchards with trees lying on their sides, as if shot. Former farm fields given over to tumbleweeds. Land and cattle for sale, cheap.

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