EMPOWERING PRODUCERS OF FOOD & FIBER
Friday, May 28, 2021
Volume 94, Number 22
CapitalPress.com
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Western water shortages impact what farmers plant
By SIERRA DAWN MCCLAIN
Capital Press
Widespread drought and
water shortages in 2021
are impacting what farm-
ers in the Western U.S. are
planting.
Farmers across Califor-
nia and Oregon are mak-
ing diffi cult decisions: tear-
ing out acreage, replacing
water-dependent crops with
crops that can thrive on dry-
land and leaving land fallow.
Rice, a water-dependent
crop, has been impacted.
According to the Califor-
nia Farm Bureau Federa-
tion, rice farmers are plant-
ing fewer acres this year.
Analysts say the state’s rice
acreage will likely be down
20% from average because
of water restrictions, driving
up the price.
USDA estimated Cali-
fornia will produce 471,000
rice acres this year, down
9% from 2020.
Industry leaders predict
farmers will leave about
100,000 acres of rice ground
idle this year.
Cranberries, like rice,
need wet conditions to thrive
and experts say this year’s
water shortages will impact
cranberry producers’ plant-
ing and harvesting decisions.
According to the U.S.
Drought Monitor, Oregon’s
South Coast — a major cran-
berry-growing region — is
already experiencing severe
to exceptional drought.
See Water, Page 8
Small-scale producers plan
a central go-to facility
Johnson, a former restau-
rant owner and chef, was recently
brought on as a consultant to the
STORIA, Ore. — The his-
food hub, poring over blueprints
toric Mason, Ehrman & Co.
and sharing ideas for the design.
building is perched along
His experience gives him a unique
the Columbia River waterfront in
perspective of both the needs of
downtown Astoria, Ore., fl anked by
farmers, and intricacies of the food
shops and restaurants where tourists
system.
can watch passing cargo
“People want that kind
ships on their trans-Pacifi c
of freshness, that kind of
journey.
delivery,” Johnson said.
Inside the mostly empty
“It’s just a question of
warehouse, Fred Johnson,
how do producers come up
an organic farmer from
with the infrastructure they
across the river in Naselle,
need.”
Wash., chatted with the
Phase I of the food hub
Jared
new owners of the building
is expected to be completed
Gardner
on a recent May afternoon
by September or October,
about their plans to create a
said Jared Gardner, owner of
local food hub for the region’s many
the Nehalem River Ranch and a cen-
small farmers, ranchers and fi shers.
tral partner in the project.
The Astoria Food Hub is an
His team completed the purchase
ambitious, multi-phase project that
of the building in April, and is now
would promote the rich agricultural
recruiting tenants who share their
bounty of Oregon’s North Coast.
vision for community-supported
Plans include a cold storage, a com-
local agriculture.
mercial kitchen, retail stores, a dis-
See Hub, Page 8
tribution center and restaurant.
By GEORGE PLAVEN
Capital Press
A
George Plaven/Capital Press
Partners in the Astoria Food Hub are, from left, Jared Gardner, Jason Steg-
ner, Benjamin Ariff , Jessika Tantisook, Saidri Neth, Jennifer Lanius, Corey
Omey and Jo Brown. In the back is Warren Neth with Bodhi and Zoe Neth.
George Plaven/Capital Press
The front of the Mason, Ehrman & Co.
building facing Marine Drive in Astoria,
Ore. It will include retail and offi ce space
for local farms and food nonprofi ts.
Klamath Project irrigators say more drought relief needed
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore.
— As Klamath Project irriga-
tors brace for a year with little
to no water, farm groups are
calling for additional funding
to help communities weather
the extreme drought and
avoid economic devastation.
The unfolding crisis
reached a crescendo on May
12 when the U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation announced it
would close the Project’s A
Canal for entire 2021 irriga-
tion season.
Paul Simmons, execu-
tive director of the Klam-
ath Water Users Association,
said tensions are understand-
Founded in 1945
by Farmers and Ranchers.
Who saw a need for Rural Lending.
Headgate camp draws
attention to Klamath
water crisis • Page 4
ably high given the enor-
mous stakes. His focus now
is securing much-needed
drought relief for 1,200 fam-
ily farms and ranches to
survive.
“We need these dollars to
help get us through this year,”
Simmons said. “We’re really
focused on exploring every
possible venue where some-
one could obtain that relief.”
Reclamation has said it
will provide $15 million
for agricultural producers
through the Klamath Project
Drought Response Agency,
along with $3 million in
technical assistance for local
tribes to benefi t endangered
fi sh.
But Simmons said much
more is needed to rescue irri-
gators facing an unprece-
dented and dire situation.
See Klamath, Page 8
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By GEORGE PLAVEN
Capital Press