Just the other day, a CBS News article boldly declared that "food prices soar as incomes stand still", but the truth is that this is only just the beginning. If the drought that has been devastating farmers and ranchers out west continues, we are going to see prices for meat, fruits and vegetables soar into the stratosphere.
Already, the federal government has declared portions of 11 states to be "disaster areas", and California farmers are going to leave half a million acres sitting idle this year because of the extremely dry conditions. Sadly, experts are telling us that things are probably going to get worse before they get better (if they ever do).
One expert recently told National Geographic that throughout history it has been quite common for that region of North America to experience severe droughts that last for decades. In fact, one drought actually lasted for about 200 years. So there is the possibility that the drought that has begun in the state of California may not end during your entire lifetime.
This drought has gotten so bad that it is starting to get national attention. Barack Obama visited the Fresno region on Friday, and he declared that "this is going to be a very challenging situation this year, and frankly, the trend lines are such where it's going to be a challenging situation for some time to come."
According to NBC News, businesses across the region are shutting down, large numbers of workers are leaving to search for other work, and things are already so bad that it "calls to mind the Dust Bowl of the 1930s"..."
There is a lot of hype there but some truth, too. We talked about the drought in the west recently. I can see where our fresh veggies are going to go up in price at the grocery. That makes our gardening skills even more important this year!
The young guys have been asking where is the opportunity, and I see plenty of it if you want to think smart and work hard! We took the picture a few days ago in Hawaii where some people are doing just that.
What do you think?
Ed Winkle
Is the United States about to experience a severe food shortage, with prices of basic foods such as meats, fruits and vegetables skyrocketing? Based on recent agricultural and climate assessments, that is not only what we can expect – but what is already happening right now. Here are some excerpts of the frightful statistics and scenarios researched by Michael Snyder, in his article: 15 Reasons Why Your Food Bill Is Going To Start Soaring:
“The state of California, which produces the most vegetables in the U.S, is going through its worst drought ever, with 91.6% of the state experiencing severe to exceptional drought. 2013 was its worst year ever and there has been no improvement so far in 2014. According to CNBC, it is being projected that California farmers are going to let half a million acres of farmland sit idle this year because of the crippling drought. Much of the western U.S. has been exceedingly dry for an extended period of time, and this is hurting huge numbers of farmers and ranchers all the way from Texas to the west coast.”
Snyder highlights some notable consequences:
- The size of the total U.S. cattle herd is now the smallest that it has ever been since 1951.
- The federal government has declared portions of 11 states to be "disaster areas", and California farmers are going to leave half a million acres sitting idle this year because of the extremely dry conditions.
- Things are probably going to get worse before they get better (if they ever do). It has been quite common for that region of North America to experience severe droughts that last for decades. In fact, one drought actually lasted for about 200 years. So there is the possibility that the drought that has begun in the state of California may not end during your entire lifetime.
Read more at http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/2014/February19/192.html#zKZRFsVYjcyk2oz4.99
Is the United States about to experience a severe food shortage, with prices of basic foods such as meats, fruits and vegetables skyrocketing? Based on recent agricultural and climate assessments, that is not only what we can expect – but what is already happening right now. Here are some excerpts of the frightful statistics and scenarios researched by Michael Snyder, in his article: 15 Reasons Why Your Food Bill Is Going To Start Soaring:
“The state of California, which produces the most vegetables in the U.S, is going through its worst drought ever, with 91.6% of the state experiencing severe to exceptional drought. 2013 was its worst year ever and there has been no improvement so far in 2014. According to CNBC, it is being projected that California farmers are going to let half a million acres of farmland sit idle this year because of the crippling drought. Much of the western U.S. has been exceedingly dry for an extended period of time, and this is hurting huge numbers of farmers and ranchers all the way from Texas to the west coast.”
Snyder highlights some notable consequences:
- The size of the total U.S. cattle herd is now the smallest that it has ever been since 1951.
- The federal government has declared portions of 11 states to be "disaster areas", and California farmers are going to leave half a million acres sitting idle this year because of the extremely dry conditions.
- Things are probably going to get worse before they get better (if they ever do). It has been quite common for that region of North America to experience severe droughts that last for decades. In fact, one drought actually lasted for about 200 years. So there is the possibility that the drought that has begun in the state of California may not end during your entire lifetime.
Read more at http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/2014/February19/192.html#zKZRFsVYjcyk2oz4.99
Is the United States about to experience a severe food shortage, with prices of basic foods such as meats, fruits and vegetables skyrocketing? Based on recent agricultural and climate assessments, that is not only what we can expect – but what is already happening right now. Here are some excerpts of the frightful statistics and scenarios researched by Michael Snyder, in his article: 15 Reasons Why Your Food Bill Is Going To Start Soaring:
“The state of California, which produces the most vegetables in the U.S, is going through its worst drought ever, with 91.6% of the state experiencing severe to exceptional drought. 2013 was its worst year ever and there has been no improvement so far in 2014. According to CNBC, it is being projected that California farmers are going to let half a million acres of farmland sit idle this year because of the crippling drought. Much of the western U.S. has been exceedingly dry for an extended period of time, and this is hurting huge numbers of farmers and ranchers all the way from Texas to the west coast.”
Snyder highlights some notable consequences:
- The size of the total U.S. cattle herd is now the smallest that it has ever been since 1951.
- The federal government has declared portions of 11 states to be "disaster areas", and California farmers are going to leave half a million acres sitting idle this year because of the extremely dry conditions.
- Things are probably going to get worse before they get better (if they ever do). It has been quite common for that region of North America to experience severe droughts that last for decades. In fact, one drought actually lasted for about 200 years. So there is the possibility that the drought that has begun in the state of California may not end during your entire lifetime.
Read more at http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/2014/February19/192.html#zKZRFsVYjcyk2oz4.99
Is the United States about to experience a severe food shortage, with prices of basic foods such as meats, fruits and vegetables skyrocketing? Based on recent agricultural and climate assessments, that is not only what we can expect – but what is already happening right now. Here are some excerpts of the frightful statistics and scenarios researched by Michael Snyder, in his article: 15 Reasons Why Your Food Bill Is Going To Start Soaring:
“The state of California, which produces the most vegetables in the U.S, is going through its worst drought ever, with 91.6% of the state experiencing severe to exceptional drought. 2013 was its worst year ever and there has been no improvement so far in 2014. According to CNBC, it is being projected that California farmers are going to let half a million acres of farmland sit idle this year because of the crippling drought. Much of the western U.S. has been exceedingly dry for an extended period of time, and this is hurting huge numbers of farmers and ranchers all the way from Texas to the west coast.”
Snyder highlights some notable consequences:
- The size of the total U.S. cattle herd is now the smallest that it has ever been since 1951.
- The federal government has declared portions of 11 states to be "disaster areas", and California farmers are going to leave half a million acres sitting idle this year because of the extremely dry conditions.
- Things are probably going to get worse before they get better (if they ever do). It has been quite common for that region of North America to experience severe droughts that last for decades. In fact, one drought actually lasted for about 200 years. So there is the possibility that the drought that has begun in the state of California may not end during your entire lifetime.
Read more at http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/2014/February19/192.html#zKZRFsVYjcyk2oz4.99
Is the United States about to experience a severe food shortage, with prices of basic foods such as meats, fruits and vegetables skyrocketing? Based on recent agricultural and climate assessments, that is not only what we can expect – but what is already happening right now. Here are some excerpts of the frightful statistics and scenarios researched by Michael Snyder, in his article: 15 Reasons Why Your Food Bill Is Going To Start Soaring:
“The state of California, which produces the most vegetables in the U.S, is going through its worst drought ever, with 91.6% of the state experiencing severe to exceptional drought. 2013 was its worst year ever and there has been no improvement so far in 2014. According to CNBC, it is being projected that California farmers are going to let half a million acres of farmland sit idle this year because of the crippling drought. Much of the western U.S. has been exceedingly dry for an extended period of time, and this is hurting huge numbers of farmers and ranchers all the way from Texas to the west coast.”
Snyder highlights some notable consequences:
- The size of the total U.S. cattle herd is now the smallest that it has ever been since 1951.
- The federal government has declared portions of 11 states to be "disaster areas", and California farmers are going to leave half a million acres sitting idle this year because of the extremely dry conditions.
- Things are probably going to get worse before they get better (if they ever do). It has been quite common for that region of North America to experience severe droughts that last for decades. In fact, one drought actually lasted for about 200 years. So there is the possibility that the drought that has begun in the state of California may not end during your entire lifetime.
Read more at http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/2014/February19/192.html#zKZRFsVYjcyk2oz4.99
Is the United States about to experience a severe food shortage, with prices of basic foods such as meats, fruits and vegetables skyrocketing? Based on recent agricultural and climate assessments, that is not only what we can expect – but what is already happening right now. Here are some excerpts of the frightful statistics and scenarios researched by Michael Snyder, in his article: 15 Reasons Why Your Food Bill Is Going To Start Soaring:
“The state of California, which produces the most vegetables in the U.S, is going through its worst drought ever, with 91.6% of the state experiencing severe to exceptional drought. 2013 was its worst year ever and there has been no improvement so far in 2014. According to CNBC, it is being projected that California farmers are going to let half a million acres of farmland sit idle this year because of the crippling drought. Much of the western U.S. has been exceedingly dry for an extended period of time, and this is hurting huge numbers of farmers and ranchers all the way from Texas to the west coast.”
Snyder highlights some notable consequences:
- The size of the total U.S. cattle herd is now the smallest that it has ever been since 1951.
- The federal government has declared portions of 11 states to be "disaster areas", and California farmers are going to leave half a million acres sitting idle this year because of the extremely dry conditions.
- Things are probably going to get worse before they get better (if they ever do). It has been quite common for that region of North America to experience severe droughts that last for decades. In fact, one drought actually lasted for about 200 years. So there is the possibility that the drought that has begun in the state of California may not end during your entire lifetime.
Read more at http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/2014/February19/192.html#zKZRFsVYjcyk2oz4.99
Is the United States about to experience a severe food shortage, with prices of basic foods such as meats, fruits and vegetables skyrocketing? Based on recent agricultural and climate assessments, that is not only what we can expect – but what is already happening right now. Here are some excerpts of the frightful statistics and scenarios researched by Michael Snyder, in his article: 15 Reasons Why Your Food Bill Is Going To Start Soaring:
“The state of California, which produces the most vegetables in the U.S, is going through its worst drought ever, with 91.6% of the state experiencing severe to exceptional drought. 2013 was its worst year ever and there has been no improvement so far in 2014. According to CNBC, it is being projected that California farmers are going to let half a million acres of farmland sit idle this year because of the crippling drought. Much of the western U.S. has been exceedingly dry for an extended period of time, and this is hurting huge numbers of farmers and ranchers all the way from Texas to the west coast.”
Snyder highlights some notable consequences:
- The size of the total U.S. cattle herd is now the smallest that it has ever been since 1951.
- The federal government has declared portions of 11 states to be "disaster areas", and California farmers are going to leave half a million acres sitting idle this year because of the extremely dry conditions.
- Things are probably going to get worse before they get better (if they ever do). It has been quite common for that region of North America to experience severe droughts that last for decades. In fact, one drought actually lasted for about 200 years. So there is the possibility that the drought that has begun in the state of California may not end during your entire lifetime.
Read more at http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/2014/February19/192.html#zKZRFsVYjcyk2oz4.99
I agree completely. Just as this winter reflects weather patterns from decades ago we will continue to see weather changes that affect us all! Scary
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, and very well documented with interesting links, Ed.
ReplyDeleteRegardless if the drought was only temporary or more durable, fresh water is getting more scarce and more expensive, so it will definitely affect food prices.
The following produce stats in your link were very interesting and show a real dysfunction of vegetable and fruit farming. All of these can be grown pretty much everywhere in the U.S., how is it that it all comes just from California? This must be such a waste and extra cost in processing and transportation, not even mentioning freshness.
99 % of the artichokes
67 %of carrots
89 % of cauliflower
94 % of broccoli
95 % of celery
90 % of leaf lettuce
83 % of Romaine lettuce
83 % of fresh spinach
88 % of fresh strawberries
97 % of fresh plums
Forgot to say: How do local produce farmers stand a chance with these figures?
ReplyDeleteYes there is huge waste and cost built in our system. Still, I think it's pretty efficient. We can always do better, though!
ReplyDeleteCalifornia's climate and soil is very hard to compete with but they are irrigating a desert pretty much. Similar to what I've seen in dry climates like their's.
Local farmers stand a chance only by building a strong local market but it's only one harvest per year! Hard to build a marketing model around that so the answer is, they can't?
Ed
The California "valley", surrounded by mountains has perfect weather for produce production............Just no rain ! The missing link is water, so just irrigate, ok. The "Train wreck", is no snow pac in the mountains thus no irrigation water. I grew fresh pick produce in the southeast for years to supplement my row crop operation income. THE problem "HERE" is uncertain weather patterns. Even though I'm in the "rain belt" we have seasonal droughts or even worse, a tropical storm blow in off the Gulf of Mexico and hammer the area for several days with relentless rain. Thus the total loss of a perishable crop like produce. Sure you can pick it in the mud for home consumption or give it to neighbors but it will not grade good enough to sale at a retail outlet. Because of these production problems associated with produce and no integrated dependable supply or sales outlet outside the California production area, the American consumer is in for much higher food prices.
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