[cmsms_row data_width=”fullwidth” data_padding_left=”0″ data_padding_right=”0″ data_color=”default” data_padding_top=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”0″][cmsms_column data_width=”1/1″][cmsms_slider slider_plugin=”layer” slider_layer=”1″][/cmsms_column][/cmsms_row][cmsms_row data_width=”boxed” data_color=”default” data_padding_top=”40″ data_padding_bottom=”40″ data_bg_img=”2100|https://farmwater.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/bg-prlx-big-11-1024×576.jpg|large” data_bg_position=”top center” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_attachment=”fixed” data_bg_size=”cover”][cmsms_column data_width=”1/1″][cmsms_heading type=”h1″ font_size=”32″ font_weight=”300″ font_style=”normal” text_align=”center” target=”self” custom_colors=”true” color=”#ffffff” margin_top=”20″ margin_bottom=”0″ animation_delay=”0″]Latest News[/cmsms_heading][cmsms_posts_slider orderby=”date” order=”DESC” post_type=”post” blog_categories=”agricultural-events,farm-water-news,meet-our-farmers,personal-perspectives-from-public” columns=”4″ count=”8″ pause=”7″ blog_metadata=”title,excerpt,date,categories” animation_delay=”0″][/cmsms_column][/cmsms_row][cmsms_row data_width=”boxed” data_color=”default” data_padding_top=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”30″][cmsms_column data_width=”1/1″][cmsms_divider type=”solid” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”50″ animation_delay=”0″][cmsms_heading type=”h1″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” text_align=”center” target=”self” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”10″ animation_delay=”0″]Lost Water Supplies: December 2015 – April 2016[/cmsms_heading][cmsms_heading type=”h4″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” text_align=”center” target=”self” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”10″ animation_delay=”0″]Approximate number of acre-feet of water lost to the ocean under bureaucratic mismanagement.[/cmsms_heading][cmsms_text]

[/cmsms_text][cmsms_heading type=”h4″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” text_align=”center” link=”https://farmwater.org/farm-water-news/water_counter/” target=”blank” custom_colors=”true” color=”#ff6b6b” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”10″ animation_delay=”0″]Read More[/cmsms_heading][/cmsms_column][/cmsms_row][cmsms_row data_width=”boxed” data_color=”default” data_padding_top=”40″ data_padding_bottom=”0″ data_padding=”50″][cmsms_column data_width=”1/4″][cmsms_icon_box title=”Farm Water & Environment” type=”cmsms_box_colored” heading_type=”h2″ box_color=”#83d472″ button_show=”true” button_title=”Read More” button_link=”https://farmwater.org/california-drought-information-mulitmedia/educator-resources/farm-water-and-the-environment/” button_target=”self” button_font_weight=”100″ button_font_style=”normal” box_icon=”cmsms-icon-globe-1″ animation_delay=”0″]

California farms provide important environmental benefits, such as habitat for wildlife and migratory waterfow, as well as, an important food source for many species as harvesting typically leaves some product behind in the field.

[/cmsms_icon_box][/cmsms_column][cmsms_column data_width=”1/4″ data_animation=”fadeInUp” data_animation_delay=”100″][cmsms_icon_box title=”Drought Impacts” type=”cmsms_box_colored” heading_type=”h2″ box_color=”#ce7e50″ button_show=”true” button_title=”Read More” button_link=”https://farmwater.org/learn-more/learn-more-about-2014-drought-impacts/” button_target=”self” button_font_weight=”100″ button_font_style=”normal” box_icon=”cmsms-icon-thermometer” animation_delay=”0″]

As a $53 billion a year industry, agricultural plays a vital role in California’s economy.

Supply cutbacks, lost jobs, groundwater extractions, and diminished farm production hurts more than just farmers.

[/cmsms_icon_box][/cmsms_column][cmsms_column data_width=”1/4″ data_animation=”fadeInUp”][cmsms_icon_box title=”Farm Water & Food Costs” type=”cmsms_box_colored” heading_type=”h2″ box_color=”#57cbe1″ button_show=”true” button_title=”Read More” button_link=”https://farmwater.org/learn-more/food-cost-study/food-cost-study-information/” button_target=”self” button_font_weight=”100″ button_font_style=”normal” box_icon=”cmsms-icon-pagelines” animation_delay=”0″]

The average American household is spending $3,820 less for food each year in comparison to their counterparts around the world.

Learn more about the benefits of farm water and irrigation for your family.

[/cmsms_icon_box][/cmsms_column][cmsms_column data_width=”1/4″ data_animation=”fadeInUp” data_animation_delay=”50″][cmsms_icon_box title=”Farm Water Efficiency & Conservation” type=”cmsms_box_colored” heading_type=”h2″ box_color=”#62e0c1″ button_show=”true” button_title=”Read More” button_link=”https://farmwater.org/learn-more/learn-more-about-farm-water-use-efficiency-conservation/” button_target=”self” button_font_weight=”100″ button_font_style=”normal” box_icon=”cmsms-icon-droplet” animation_delay=”0″]Since 2003 California farmers invested more than $3 billion installing upgraded irrigation systems on more than 2.4 million acres.[/cmsms_icon_box][/cmsms_column][/cmsms_row][cmsms_row data_width=”boxed” data_color=”default” data_padding_top=”20″ data_padding_bottom=”0″][cmsms_column data_width=”1/1″][cmsms_divider type=”solid” margin_top=”50″ margin_bottom=”50″ animation_delay=”0″][cmsms_heading type=”h1″ font_size=”34″ font_weight=”300″ font_style=”normal” text_align=”center” target=”self” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ animation_delay=”0″]2015 Farm Water Drought Impacts [/cmsms_heading][/cmsms_column][/cmsms_row][cmsms_row data_width=”boxed” data_color=”default” data_padding_top=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”0″][cmsms_column data_width=”1/1″][cmsms_stats mode=”counters” type=”numbers” count=”4″ animation=”fadeInUp” animation_delay=”400″][cmsms_stat progress=”64″ custom_colors=”true” bg_color=”#7fe092″ value=”21000″ icon=”cmsms-icon-users-2″]Lost Jobs = $2.7 Billion in Lost Economic Activity[/cmsms_stat][cmsms_stat progress=”64″ custom_colors=”true” bg_color=”#b7f275″ value=”15″ value_suffix=”%” icon=”cmsms-icon-up-bold”]Increased Prices to Consumers[/cmsms_stat][cmsms_stat progress=”64″ custom_colors=”true” bg_color=”#62e0c1″ value=”2″ value_prefix=”$” value_suffix=”Billion” icon=”cmsms-icon-money-1″ classes=”downsize”]Direct Farm Losses [/cmsms_stat][cmsms_stat progress=”64″ custom_colors=”true” bg_color=”#57cbe1″ value=”542000″ icon=”cmsms-icon-address”]Acres of Farmland Fallowed[/cmsms_stat][/cmsms_stats][/cmsms_column][/cmsms_row][cmsms_row data_width=”boxed” data_color=”default” data_padding_top=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”30″][cmsms_column data_width=”1/1″][cmsms_divider type=”solid” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”50″ animation_delay=”0″][cmsms_heading type=”h1″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” text_align=”center” target=”self” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”10″ animation_delay=”0″]Farmers Have Spent $3 Billion in Irrigation System Upgrades[/cmsms_heading][cmsms_heading type=”h4″ font_size=”18″ line_height=”32″ font_weight=”300″ font_style=”normal” text_align=”center” target=”self” custom_colors=”true” color=”#979ca4″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”10″ animation_delay=”0″]Since 2003 California farmers invested over $3 billion upgrading irrigation systems to drip and micro-sprinklers on over 2.4 million acres. That’s an investment in conservation that helps stretch our water supplies.[/cmsms_heading][/cmsms_column][/cmsms_row][cmsms_row data_width=”fullwidth” data_padding_left=”10″ data_padding_right=”10″ data_color=”default” data_padding_top=”60″ data_padding_bottom=”100″ data_bg_img=”2032|http://eco-nature-demo.cmsmasters.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/bg-prlx-big-sky.jpg|full” data_bg_position=”top center” data_bg_repeat=”repeat-y” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_parallax=”true”][cmsms_column data_width=”1/1″ data_animation=”rollIn” data_classes=”center”][cmsms_heading type=”h1″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” text_align=”center” target=”self” custom_colors=”true” color=”#ffffff” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ animation_delay=”0″]Follow Us to Learn More[/cmsms_heading][cmsms_simple_icon icon=”cmsms-icon-facebook-circled” size=”60″ display=”inline-block” link=”https://www.facebook.com/foodgrowswherewaterflows” target=”blank” custom_color=”true” color=”#ffffff” animation=”wobble” animation_delay=”0″][/cmsms_simple_icon][cmsms_simple_icon icon=”cmsms-icon-twitter-circled” size=”60″ display=”inline-block” link=”https://twitter.com/farmwater” target=”blank” custom_color=”true” color=”#ffffff” animation=”wobble” animation_delay=”0″][/cmsms_simple_icon][cmsms_simple_icon icon=”cmsms-icon-youtube-squared” size=”60″ display=”inline-block” link=”https://www.youtube.com/user/farmwater” target=”blank” custom_color=”true” color=”#ffffff” animation=”wobble” animation_delay=”0″][/cmsms_simple_icon][cmsms_simple_icon icon=”cmsms-icon-pinterest-circled-1″ size=”60″ display=”inline-block” link=”http://www.pinterest.com/farmwater/” target=”blank” custom_color=”true” color=”#ffffff” animation=”wobble” animation_delay=”0″][/cmsms_simple_icon][cmsms_simple_icon icon=”cmsms-icon-gplus-circled” size=”60″ display=”inline-block” link=”https://plus.google.com/112857891868310238621/about” target=”blank” custom_color=”true” color=”#ffffff” animation=”wobble” animation_delay=”0″][/cmsms_simple_icon][cmsms_simple_icon icon=”cmsms-icon-linkedin-circled” size=”60″ display=”inline-block” link=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/california-farm-water-coalition” target=”blank” custom_color=”true” color=”#ffffff” animation=”wobble” animation_delay=”0″][/cmsms_simple_icon][/cmsms_column][/cmsms_row][cmsms_row data_width=”boxed” data_color=”default” data_padding_top=”80″ data_padding_bottom=”0″][cmsms_column data_width=”1/1″][cmsms_heading type=”h1″ font_size=”32″ font_weight=”300″ font_style=”normal” text_align=”center” target=”self” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ animation_delay=”0″]Myths About California Farm Water Use[/cmsms_heading][/cmsms_column][/cmsms_row][cmsms_row data_width=”boxed” data_color=”default” data_padding_top=”60″ data_padding_bottom=”20″][cmsms_column data_width=”1/2″][cmsms_icon_list_items type=”block” heading=”h2″ items_color_type=”icon” border_width=”1″ border_radius=”50″ unifier_width=”1″ position=”right” icon_size=”32″ icon_space=”80″ icon=”cmsms-icon-thumbs-up-5″ animation_delay=”0″][cmsms_icon_list_item title=”Myth: Agriculture uses 80% of California’s water supplies.” custom_colors=”true” color=”#62e0c7″ icon=”cmsms-icon-water”]

Fact:  This statement is generally made in an attempt to explain the allocation of available water in California.  It ignores the amount of water dedicated to the environment, which includes action taken by laws, regulations and court decisions. When used to irrigate farms, CVPIA water as is understood as an agricultural use. When it’s use is transferred to an environmental purpose it must also be counted.

[/cmsms_icon_list_item][cmsms_icon_list_item title=”Myth: Farmers receive subsidized water.” custom_colors=”true” color=”#62e0c7″ icon=”cmsms-icon-cancel-circled-1″]

Fact:  When the federal Central Valley Project was authorized the U.S. Congress made the decision to exempt farm water users from paying the interest charges on the construction costs of the project. All other costs, including construction, maintenance and operation are paid by the water users. Since 1941 new tax revenue from farm operations made possible by the federal Central Valley Project totals an amazing $124.4 billion on an initial investment of just $7.3 billion.

[/cmsms_icon_list_item][cmsms_icon_list_item title=”Myth: Alfalfa uses too much water.” custom_colors=”true” color=”#62e0c7″ icon=”cmsms-icon-pagelines”]

Fact:  Alfalfa is grown in almost every county in California, from the hot regions of the Southern desert to the chilly mountains in Northern California.  Depending on the climate, a field of alfalfa will be harvested from four to 10 times a year.  Alfalfa is the primary protein crop for California’s dairy industry. Without California-grown alfalfa, dairy farmers would be required to import its feed supplies from other states, dramatically increasing the carbon footprint and pollution generated by trucking operations.

[/cmsms_icon_list_item][/cmsms_icon_list_items][/cmsms_column][cmsms_column data_width=”1/2″][cmsms_icon_list_items type=”block” heading=”h2″ items_color_type=”icon” border_width=”1″ border_radius=”50%” unifier_width=”1″ position=”left” icon_size=”32″ icon_space=”80″ icon=”cmsms-icon-thumbs-up-5″ animation_delay=”0″][cmsms_icon_list_item title=”Myth: Flood irrigation wastes water.” custom_colors=”true” color=”#a6ec7c” icon=”cmsms-icon-air”]

Fact:  Flood irrigation is a beneficial tool in recharging groundwater in a practice known as conjunctive use, or using both surface and groundwater at appropriate times.  Farmers who apply water through flood irrigation are providing the water resource needed by plants and also helping to recharge groundwater aquifers that we rely on during times of drought .

[/cmsms_icon_list_item][cmsms_icon_list_item title=”Myth: Rice is a ‘monsoon’ crop and uses too much water.” custom_colors=”true” color=”#7ce095″ icon=”cmsms-icon-leaf-1″]

Fact: California rice is grown almost exclusively in the Sacramento Valley where soil conditions create a “bathtub” effect that slows the percolation of the water into the ground. Rice uses only about 3.4 acre-feet per year, which is similar to many other crops grown in the same region.

[/cmsms_icon_list_item][cmsms_icon_list_item title=”Myth: Almonds dominate California agriculture and water usage.” custom_colors=”true” color=”#a6ec7c” icon=”cmsms-icon-air”]

Fact: Almond acreage represents 10% of the state’s irrigated agricultural land and uses only 8% of of applied irrigated water, demonstrating the crop’s efficiency.  In fact, over the last 20 years, almond growers have increased yields while increasing water efficiency by an impressive 33% through the use of advanced micro-irrigation technologies and best practices.

[/cmsms_icon_list_item][cmsms_icon_list_item title=”Myth: Cotton is a water-waster.” custom_colors=”true” color=”#a6ec7c” icon=”cmsms-icon-leaf-1″]

Fact:  Water applied to California cotton fields has decreased in recent years as a result of reduced planted acreage caused by a fluctuating world market price. Sprinklers are typically used to irrigate the cotton seed as it sprouts into a young plant. The average water application for cotton is 2.75-3.5 acre-feet per acre.

[/cmsms_icon_list_item][/cmsms_icon_list_items][/cmsms_column][/cmsms_row][cmsms_row data_width=”boxed” data_color=”default” data_padding_top=”30″ data_padding_bottom=”60″][cmsms_column data_width=”1/2″][cmsms_heading type=”h2″ font_size=”24″ font_weight=”300″ font_style=”normal” text_align=”left” target=”self” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”40″ animation_delay=”0″]Why Environmental Water Needs to Be Counted[/cmsms_heading][cmsms_tabs mode=”tab” active=”1″ animation_delay=”0″][cmsms_tab title=”The Myth ” custom_colors=”true” bg_color=”#57cbe1″]It is a persistent myth that 80% of California’s water is used on the farm. This simply isn’t true. California’s Department of Water Resources reports that about 40% of the state’s dedicated water supply is used by farmers, approximately 10% is used in urban areas for domestic purposes and commercial businesses, while 50% goes to the environment…In order to accurately account for statewide water use it is important to also keep track of water that has an environmental priority.[/cmsms_tab][cmsms_tab title=”The Truth” custom_colors=”true” bg_color=”#62e0c1″]

“Many State and federal laws and regulations govern California water use. Some of them mandate that a certain amount of water be used for specific environmental purposes including wild and scenic stream flows, required Bay-Delta outflow, managed wetlands and wildlife refuges. In recent years water that once irrigated farmland or ran from taps in homes is now serving environmental purposes. That water was counted as human use before is being reallocated to the environment.”

~ Department of Water Resources

[/cmsms_tab][cmsms_tab title=”Conclusion” custom_colors=”true” bg_color=”#7fe092″]

“In order to accurately account for statewide water use it is important to also keep track of water that has an environmental priority.”

~ Department of Water Resources

 

[/cmsms_tab][/cmsms_tabs][/cmsms_column][cmsms_column data_width=”1/2″][cmsms_heading type=”h2″ font_size=”24″ font_weight=”300″ font_style=”normal” text_align=”left” target=”self” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”40″ animation_delay=”0″]CA Water Allocation[/cmsms_heading][cmsms_text animation_delay=”0″]

Fact:  California uses half of its available water supply to protect the environment – as much water as farms and urban uses combined.

[/cmsms_text][cmsms_stats mode=”bars” animation=”flipInX” animation_delay=”0″ classes=”water-use”][cmsms_stat progress=”50″ custom_colors=”true” bg_color=”#7fe092″ value_suffix=”%” icon=”cmsms-icon-tree”]Environmental Use[/cmsms_stat][cmsms_stat progress=”40″ custom_colors=”true” bg_color=”#62e0c1″ value_suffix=”%” icon=”cmsms-icon-restaurant” classes=”agriculture”]Farms & Agriculture Use[/cmsms_stat][cmsms_stat progress=”10″ custom_colors=”true” bg_color=”#57cbe1″ value_suffix=”%” icon=”cmsms-icon-commerical-building” classes=”urban”]Urban Use[/cmsms_stat][/cmsms_stats][/cmsms_column][/cmsms_row][cmsms_row data_width=”boxed” data_padding_left=”3″ data_padding_right=”3″ data_color=”default” data_padding_top=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”50″ data_bg_position=”top center” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_color=”#ffffff” data_bg_parallax_ratio=”0.5″ data_color_overlay=”#000000″ data_overlay_opacity=”50″][cmsms_column data_width=”1/1″][cmsms_simple_icon icon=”cmsms-icon-thumbs-up-5″ size=”40″ display=”block” text_align=”center” target=”self” color=”#353535″ color_transparency=”100″ animation_delay=”0″][/cmsms_simple_icon][/cmsms_column][/cmsms_row]