Meager Sierra snow worries CA officials, farmers

By TRACIE CONE and RICH PEDRONCELLI Associated Press
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 7:27 PM

ECHO SUMMIT, Calif. -- California's Sierra Nevada snowpack measured a meager 15 inches in some places, officials announced Wednesday, bearing bad news to a state that depends on snowmelt to meet the water needs of 25 million people and more than a million acres of farmland. Resorts are suffering as skiers turn up their noses at manmade snow, especially after last year's prolific powder. And paltry snow means big worries this summer for farmers in the state's Central Valley who depend on snowmelt delivered through aqueducts to irrigate the most prolific agricultural region in the nation...........Read Story -

Lois Capps talks about farm bill with locals

By Cynthia Lambert
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Maintaining money for pest detection efforts, allocating funds for research programs and providing support during disasters, including drought, were three of several issues raised Monday during a local discussion of the next federal farm bill. Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, met with local farmers and ranchers, Cal Poly students and faculty, and farm organizations to hear their concerns and input on a massive piece of legislation that will set farm and food policy for the nation...........Read Story -

Valley farmers may have cure for poisoned cropland
The Fresno Bee
By Mark Grossi - The Fresno Bee
Sunday, January 29, 2012 11:15 PM

The prickly pear cactus may not sound like a trendy cash crop, but it could become a phenomenon among farmers on the arid west side of the San Joaquin Valley.
The cactus can grow in the west-side's salty soils, drink briny water and live just fine in very dry times. But the real attraction: As it grows, the cactus slowly absorbs and cleans up a chemical villain in the soil -- selenium............Read Story -