A recent survey of California almond growers shows that the state’s devastating drought has forced many farmers to drill new wells, rely on salty groundwater and bulldoze trees.
The survey offers a glimpse into farming practices for one of the state’s largest crops — 860,000 acres statewide. Almonds are grown widely in the San Joaquin Valley, including Fresno County where it has become the No. 1 crop, worth $1.1 billion in 2013.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, in cooperation with state ag officials, sent survey forms to 688 almond growers; 458 were returned. Statisticians asked questions about several critical issues including water supply, groundwater quality, tree removal and future new plantings. The survey found that nearly 70% of almond farmers have only groundwater to irrigate their trees — no surface water or canal water.
About 23% said they had to drill new wells and another 32% were reconditioning an existing well.
http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/09/12/4120382_survey-finds-almond-growers-deeply.html?rh=1