Sunday, April 26, 2015

Historic shift in agriculture continued

Where the rain does not fall:

    Map showing normal rainfall per year in inches


The productive San Joaquin Valley receives 5-15 inches a year compare that to Illinois 40 inches.

Irrigation has changed it from desert to a great agriculture producer.  They produce 25% of the nations table food on 1% of the land.  Irrigation has expanded the productive land beginning around 1849.  The water tables have been lowered and rivers diverted over time to where we are today, and with less water recharging the system reductions in farm able land has just begun.  Where it stops is what is unknown.  Two resources are found here:
           First one shows history and how it has changed land
 http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/circ1182/pdf/06SanJoaquinValley.pdf
          Second one shows current studies
http://www.hamiltonproject.org/papers/in_times_of_drought_nine_economic_facts_about_water_in_the_us/

  Some question the foresight of producing water intensive crops like almonds.  It has intensified the debate of value of production and best uses of water resources.


 http://www.almonds.com/consumers/get-facts-about-almonds-and-water?gclid=CjwKEAjwmfKpBRC8tb3Mh5rs23ASJACWy1QPxcLty-D44o7-JcX_gIJzNPTAMlPdIZv16sGbKOOeTxoCblvw_wcB  (Almond growers rebuttal)

   We know that the solution will take the cooperation of everybody, Government, urban, and rural users of water.  So keep them in your prayers.

    We are so fortunate to have regular rains in the Midwest corn belt states.  My April rains are at about 1 inch which is behind normal but things are looking good for crops.  The main delay is that the soils are still cold.  This week the forecast is warmer so many farmers will be planting.  My first field has seeds just germinating today.  I will keep you informed as it progresses.  

   Much of what Foods Resource Bank does is work with overseas projects providing them with water solutions. http://frb.force.com/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=00PF00000048jNLMAY   (one example)  What make our work most successful is that working overseas we acknowledge that we too do not have all the answers.  As evidenced by our struggles in the Dust Bowl and now in California, but we are willing to work together for lasting solutions through cooperation with their communities and farmers.  

                                                                               Serving together, Dean  


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