Water

Senate passage of infrastructure bill applauded by national ag, water group

With nearly two-thirds of the West experiencing extreme or exceptional drought conditions, and more than 90 active wildfires burning across the U.S., a national coalition representing thousands of Western farmers, ranchers, water providers, businesses and... more »

USDA to make payments to reduce Klamath Basin irrigation demand

USDA is investing $15 million for a new drought pilot to assist agricultural producers impacted by worsening drought conditions to provide relief to impacted California and Oregon producers in the Klamath River Basin. The announcement... more »

Installation of emergency salinity drought barrier done by DWR

After three weeks of round-the-clock work, the emergency drought salinity barrier was completed in late June. The barrier will help prevent saltwater contamination of water supplies used by millions of Californians who rely on Delta-based... more »

Broadband access essential to farm tech growth

Farmers and ranchers in the 21st century are increasingly turning to soil sensors, online data hubs and other advanced technologies designed to help them develop more precise uses of water and other inputs, and keep... more »

Rural California hammered as drought spreads

With depleted reservoirs and limited water supplies across California, Gov. Gavin Newsom recently expanded the drought emergency order to nine additional counties and signed an executive order calling on all Californians to voluntarily reduce water... more »

National ag, water coalition applauds committee passage of infrastructure bill

A national coalition representing thousands of Western farmers, ranchers, water providers, businesses and communities applauded passage of the Energy Infrastructure Act on July 14 by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR), and... more »

Videos from California growers show devastating impact of drought

In "No Water = No Crops," a series of videos released July 12 by Western Growers, three California growers show the impact the drought is having on their operations, and the cascading losses that result... more »

Long-term support to address drought on California agricultural, other lands

In the middle of California’s drought, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is meeting with landowners, Tribal representatives, and agencies to assess resource concerns and offer assistance to farmers and ranchers, as well as, forest and... more »