A coalition of ag and business groups is imploring Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Legislature to boost water storage and supplies as the drought threatens food, energy and housing sectors.
Data from USDA’s Economic Research Service shows the number of U.S. farms continues a slow decline. After peaking at 6.8 million farms in 1935, the number of farms and ranches fell sharply through the early 1970s.
California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson told leaders of the EPA that the pending “waters of the United States” rule, or WOTUS, must provide protections for normal farming activities.
Already facing sharp curtailments in irrigation supplies, farmers in Northern California’s Klamath Basin are dealing with additional challenges after a cold and windy spring.
Ag groups are reacting positively to President Biden signing the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, which will address the supply chain and shipping port issues hampering U.S. exports.
Water supply challenges for California farmers are worsening as the drought deepens. It appears Argentina won’t be able to capitalize on the interruption of wheat supplies from the Black Sea.
Republican Leaders from the House Ag and Budget Committees last week announced H.R. 8069, the Reducing Farm Input Costs and Barriers to Production Act.