From News Line, a daily compilation of farm water news distributed to CFWC members and others upon request. To receive News Line, click here.

What we talk about when we talk about the Central Valley

Coalition response…This article provides a glimpse into the world of farming in California’s Central Valley. The land and water, combined with the management practices of farmers, have produced a food supply that is feeding people around the world with healthy and affordable food. Some critics, as noted by the author, simply do not agree with the valley’s farming practices. Yet, these same farming practices—water management, crop selection, laser-guided tractors, global positioning satellites and more—are copied by others around the world.

The water used by farmers throughout California account for 41% of the available supply in an average year, not the 80% as reported in the article. The remaining water is divided between the environment, 48%, and urban, 11%, according to the California Department of Water Resources.

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