Ice storms in Georgia; drought in California. This could cut our food supply.

[JDPriestly]

One long weekend of showers amounts to a drop in the proverbial bucket. Everyone here knows that after the driest year on record in California, the Central Valley, one of the richest food-producing regions on earth, is up against what geologists are calling the 500-year drought. Fresno County, the heart of the Central Valley’s San Joaquin Valley farm belt—and the number one farming county in the nation—may lose up to a quarter of its orchards and fields this year for lack of water. President Obama is scheduled to visit Fresno County on Friday to “discuss” the drought.

No doubt everyone in California, and the other West Coast states suffering this drought, will feel the lack of water sooner rather than later. But towns like Mendota (pop.: approx. 10,000), will bear the brunt of it. One of the poorest towns in the poorest region in California, Mendota, Cantaloupe Center of the World, has a poverty rate of over 40 percent. It is also one of a handful of towns in Fresno County almost completely dependent on farming for its lifeblood.

More

http://www.alternet.org/environment/how-californias-500-year-drought-destroying-lives-hardworking-farmers

[wildbilln864]

1. plus radioactivity in the Pacific. n/t

[villager]

2. so how long do we keep wasting grain and water on industrial meat production?

[former9thward]

3. At least as long as we turn food into fuel.

And keep up the corporate welfare to the corn producers.

[Glassunion]

4. You forgot about

Yes, there are Ice Storms in GA, Drought in CA.

There is also a Paul in KY and Texas, a Rubio in FL, and a Ryan in WI.

Just sayin'

[JDPriestly]

5. Good points.