From the AP: Federal water managers say they may have to cut off all water to some of California's largest farms as a result of the deepening drought affecting the state. This will increase food prices. Here's a link to this article via MSNBC:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29302902/

Analysis: These so called "farms" are the enormous factory farms in California's Central Valley which provide a large portion of the country's produce. Because a lot of these same landowners also grow almond trees or fruit trees, they are talking about saving what water they have for these orchards, and perhaps not even planting summer crops at all this year. The result will be increased prices in a number of basic food items from the produce crops themselves (e.g. tomatoes) to processed foods which incorporate them (e.g. tomato paste, sauce, and ketchup). We'll be importing more from our southern neighbors, which means higher prices and more carbon consumption for the storage and transportation.

My take: These large-scale farms do not treat their soil well. Most do not practice crop rotation, and so they have to use lots of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Half the water they use must evaporate anyway in the dry heat out there; their irrigation is a real waste. But with food prices headed upward again, please consider growing some of your own produce this year. It's a great way to save money, and save the planet some resources. There's no better time to get started!

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