Friday , March 29 2024

Some California growers are tearing out their almond trees

As the valley drought continues, so does the controversy around one of the state’s most popular crops — almonds.

California produces 100% of the nation’s supply and 80% of the world’s. Some growers in Newman are pulling their trees out because there isn’t enough water.

In California’s drought-ridden central valley, Jim Jasper showed us his almond orchard.

He’s cut down 51,000 almond trees in the past 16 months because he can’t afford to water them. Jasper is now paying 10-times more for water to keep his remaining orchard alive and investing half a million dollars drilling wells hoping to find more water.

Almonds are a $ 6.5 billion industry, the most profitable crop in the state, but almond trees are also thirsty. A recent study shows that it takes one gallon of water to grow one single almond.

Some people look at that and say that just sounds crazy.

"Almost anything you’re going to grow is going to take a lot of water. It’s as simple as that," he said.  

Almond farmers use 1 trillion gallons of water each year, that’s five times more than Los Angeles and San Francisco combined.

"I feel that my water has more value growing almonds for other people than it is to water my lawn," Dino Giacomazzi said.

He is a 4th generation dairy farmer and is converting 35% of his land to almond trees despite the drought. He uses advanced irrigation systems so no water is wasted.

"I think agriculture is getting a bad rap. We’re kind of in a place for the first time in history where farmers have to explain to people why food and agriculture has value," he said. 

And for farmers, money only grows on trees if the trees stay alive.

Ben Tracy, reporting.

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