California Drought Already Affecting Farmers
Despite recent rains throughout the state, California has recently instituted water restrictions to many farms in the San Joaquin Valley, the agricultural epicenter of the nation. In fact drought conditions are already so severe that they have forced authorities to eliminate all water for agriculture in California’s San Joaquin Valley for three weeks beginning March 1st. This might not be troubling if it wasn’t happening so early in the year.
The impact on the people and economy of the state could also be severe. The Department of Water Resources has stated in relation to the water crisis in California.
“The drought could cause an estimated $1.15 billion dollar loss in agriculture-related wages and eliminate as many as 40,000 jobs in farm-related industries in the San Joaquin Valley alone, where most of the nation’s produce and nuts are grown.”
Read here for the full Associated Press article on the anticipated drought and its effects.
