Calif farmers idle crops, veggie prices may rise

[XemaSab]

Consumers may pay more for spring lettuce and summer melons in grocery stores across the country now that California farmers have started abandoning their fields in response to a crippling drought.

Federal officials' recent announcement that the water supply they pump through the nation's largest farm state would drop further was enough to move John "Dusty" Giacone to forego growing vegetables so he can save his share to drip-irrigate 1,000 acres of almond trees.

"Taking water from a farmer is like taking a pipe from a plumber," said Giacone, a fourth-generation farmer in the tiny community of Mendota. "How do you conduct business?"

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/01/22/financial/f163602S93.DTL&tsp=1

[Psephos]

1. Grow the vegetables someplace else besides a naturally arid region requiring constant irrigation.

Or, curb the population of Southern California and its ever-rising demand for potable water.

You can't have it both ways.

[NickB79]

2. Good thing I'm applying for a 600-sq. ft community garden plot tomorrow

The cost of gas should be more than offset by the fresh produce.

Not to mention the stress relief that comes with working in the fresh air and sunshine :-)

[Kolesar]

3. check out the DU gardening forum

The forum is already quite active. 600 sq ft is about as big as our raised beds.