What to look for in California’s best dry farms
Annette Farmer is looking forward to growing her own vegetables at her dry farm in the hills of the San Francisco Bay Area.
“It’s just a lot more organic than what we’ve been growing,” she said.
But even with the organic approach, Farmer has found some drawbacks.
“I can’t say I’m a huge fan of the smell,” she admitted.
“You can smell it and it’s not good for you.
It makes me feel bad.”
In fact, she said she likes the smell of the land more.
“But I can’t really smell it.”
What she can smell is the air.
“My husband and I are farmers and we love it.
We have the most beautiful air, the best air we’ve ever had,” she explained.
“And it’s a lot cheaper than the conventional methods.” “
Farm to table options, such as fresh produce and organic meat, have long been a popular option. “
And it’s a lot cheaper than the conventional methods.”
Farm to table options, such as fresh produce and organic meat, have long been a popular option.
But now, farmers in California are finding that they have more options than ever.
The state has more than 40,000 dry farms, according to the Department of Agriculture.
But the number of dry farms is declining.
In 2016, California produced just 1.8 million acres of agricultural land, down from 4.6 million acres in 2014, according a study published in The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
“The agricultural sector is not growing like it used to,” said Sarah Lippman, director of the Center for Sustainable Agriculture at UC Davis.
“If you look at the top 50 dry farms in the country, there’s been a dramatic decline in the number over the last 15 years.”
And California’s agricultural industry is also in a bit of a crisis.
Farmers have lost their jobs and many are being forced to move their farms to other states in the South, which have higher land prices.
So farmers are choosing to leave California.
“As we move into this recession and we’re seeing fewer jobs, we’re starting to see fewer people willing to be part of the agricultural workforce,” Lippmon said.
“So, we can’t expect the agricultural sector to grow.”
Some California farmers are already struggling to stay afloat.
In January, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a warning for those who may be eligible for unemployment benefits who have applied for farm jobs or have been placed on a temporary basis.
“Many of these jobs are now being eliminated or reduced as a result of the economic downturn,” said Karen Kostrzewa, the federal government’s assistant secretary for the agriculture industry.
“These include some of the largest employers in the agricultural industry, such a large meatpacking and poultry companies, as well as small and medium-sized producers, who are often at a greater economic disadvantage due to higher labor costs.”
Kostrawsa also said that she was worried about the impact of a California drought on California’s food supply.
“Drought impacts agriculture and is very difficult for our state and country,” she wrote in an email.
“Unfortunately, there are many of the farmers and ranchers who are trying to provide us with what we need and are doing the best they can, but unfortunately, the weather will do nothing to protect them from the consequences.”
So far, California has been hit by a drought that has left farmers struggling to make a living.
Lippmans assessment is that the drought is also making it more difficult for farmers to make the transition to sustainable farming.
Farmers who are able to continue to grow produce for their families and their customers may not have enough to feed their families.
“They can’t keep the family fed,” said Farmer.
“This has got to be an urgent issue for us.”
Lippmann said that it is important to understand that not all farmers are in the same situation.
“Our research has shown that, for the most part, farmers who are not moving to California are making it possible for their family to continue farming,” she added.
“However, it is still very important for those families who are moving to get the information they need so that they can make the best decision for their future.”