The food you eat

California family farms and rural communities depend on a reliable supply of irrigation water. Without water, farms cannot survive, small businesses that provide material and services to farms are hurt and communities suffer. Many of the farms and communities throughout the state rely on water from the federal Central Valley Project, the State Water Project and local irrigation and water districts. It’s important for Californians to understand the vital link between reliable supplies of water for farms and the food they eat and fiber for the clothes they wear.

Why is that important? Because California farms are in the business of growing food and fiber for people just like you. It doesn't get any more basic than that. California's farmers provide a food supply that is safe, healthy and affordable, and that's critical when you look at the instability around the world today.

Think about that the next time you're paying three bucks a gallon for gas that was supplied from somewhere far away.

You asked for it

I find it interesting that a lot of people ask for tougher and tougher regulations on farms, such as more stringent pesticide laws, water quality regulations, higher wages and benefits and reductions in noise, dust and odors. While all of these things theoretically are great, it is also important to notice that many of the same people who demand them also oppose "corporate" agriculture.

The fact is, many small farms simply cannot afford to do business in a climate of ever-increasing costs and regulations. It is only natural that larger, more efficient operations have the "economies of scale" to incorporate these changes into their operations, oftentimes absorbing smaller farms that can no longer make it.

Its one thing to want the best for workers and the environment. It’s another to criticize the farms that are making those changes and still operating at a profit.

Hetch Hetchy

Today's San Jose Mercury News reported that San Franciscio Public Utilities Commission President Richard Sklar suggested RAISING O'Shaughnessy Dam in Yosemite National Park to increase the storage capacity of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. The dam, built in the early 20th Century, could be raised by as much as 80 feet, according to the original design by San Francisco's chief engineer Michael O'Shaughnessy.

Raising the dam would raise other things, such as having to reconsider the wild and scenic designation of the Tuolumne River upstream of Hetch Hetchy. Simply mentioning it has also raised the hackles of environmentalists who are determinied to do just the opposite - tear down O'Shaughnessy Dam. I think it is likely that neither will happen.

But this discussion seems to make it is clear that top water officials throughout the state are coming to similar conclusions: California needs more water, not less, and something needs to be done to prevent shortages as the state continues to grow.

Introduction

The California Farm Water Coalition was formed in 1989 to provide fact-based information on farm water to consumers, policy-makers, regulators and anyone else interested in the importance of farm water and the agriculture industry in California.

We hope to continue that effort with this blog and generate intelligent discussion on the issues surrounding water supply, who uses it, how much there really is, and how it is used by farmers to grow the food people eat and fiber for the clothes they wear.

We welcome your interest and participation!