The 2015 Fresno County Crop Report found that Fresno’s crop value declined by $400 million last year. A Fresno Bee article on the report quotes Fresno County Agriculture Commissioner Les Wright as saying simply, “The lack of a reliable water supply continues to fallow productive land.” The story also quotes West side farmer Dan Errotabere: “The water shortage with the fallowing and cost of farming being much higher means the margins are even tighter yet for farming.”
For many Valley farmers and communities, the water crisis has reached an emergency phase. Accordingly, I’d like to invite you to a water forum I will be hosting on August 31 in Tulare. At this event, I will share my thoughts on the consequences facing the Valley if the crisis continues and outline possible solutions to this pressing problem. The forum will be held at the Heritage Complex at 4500 S. Laspina St. from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm PST. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. You can register at this link – I hope to see you there.
