Agriculture

Commentary

Earth Day: California must curb Central Valley food waste as water crisis worsens

Earth Day Op-Ed Contest Winner: 4th Place More than 100 high school and middle school students across California submitted opinion pieces to CalMatters’ inaugural Earth Day contest. The contest theme was “How have changes in climate impacted your community?” Guest Commentary written by Jesse Morris Jesse Morris is a high school student from Tulare County. He […]

By Guest Commentary • April 18, 2023

Reader Reactions

What California overlooks when discussing water supply and farms

When the entire food supply chain is considered, it's clear that humans are the biggest water user, not necessarily farms, argues an agriculture industry advocate.

By Guest Commentary • April 3, 2023

Commentary

Western water crisis solutions inevitably end with a lot less for California farms

The water crisis in the West and the decline of the Colorado River are going to require painful changes for Southern California farms, and a lot less water.

By Jim Newton • March 23, 2023

Commentary

Waiving California environmental rules for Delta water equates to a civil rights issue

Despite reversing course last week, the February decision by Gov. Gavin Newsom and state water officials to bypass environmental rules for water storage allowed greater harm to salmon populations already besieged by drought. Native American tribal members argue that such environmental harm amounts to a civil rights violation.

By Guest Commentary • March 17, 2023

Commentary

Newsom’s Delta decisions are the sort of responsive moves California needs for water crisis

The decision to suspend environmental regulations for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta – and then reverse it a few weeks later – was applauded by many who believe California's climate extremes require a more flexible approach to managing the water crisis.

By Charley Wilson • March 17, 2023

Commentary

California’s ghostly Tulare Lake will be revived this year

California was once home to the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River, but Tulare Lake disappeared as water was diverted to irrigate crops. This year, however, the lake will once again re-emerge.

By Dan Walters • March 15, 2023

California Divide

California farmworkers just gained the right to vote for unions by mail, but for how long?

California farmworkers marched 335 miles last year to pressure Gov. Gavin Newsom on a law that would help them unionize. Then the union agreed to give back a key win.

By Nicole Foy • March 6, 2023

California Divide

‘No light at the other end’: Impending loss of pandemic CalFresh boosts could trigger hunger spike

For nearly three years, an increase in federal aid has allowed California to issue higher-than-usual amounts in food stamps. That ends in April.

By Jeanne Kuang • February 9, 2023

Commentary

Western states play game of chicken over Colorado River

Seven western states are playing a high-stakes game of chicken over how diversions from the crisis-ridden Colorado River will be reduced.

By Dan Walters • February 8, 2023

Newsletters

Deal or no deal (Colorado River edition)

California and six other drought-parched states have until Tuesday to hammer out a deal to cut their voracious thirst for Colorado River water by up to 30%.  Don’t hold your breath.  As the New York Times reported over the weekend, no one is volunteering to make the cuts that the federal government is now demanding, […]

By Ben Christopher • January 30, 2023