A billion-dollar industry is being harmed by aggressive water. And the agriculture commissioner’s office is gathering data from farmers to determine how damaging this storm has been to business. Farmers in Tulare County have had a difficult week.
Mike Frings, a farmer, provided us with video. It demonstrates how destructive water is. He owns property east of Highway 99. Fortunately, he stated that he has not experienced any flooding. However, other farmers in his vicinity have felt the effects of the atmospheric river storm. According to Frings, the loss is in the millions.
The dairy farmers, he said, scrambled to get their cattle out of the area. Since yesterday, the water level has dropped. Frings, on the other hand, is still concerned.
“My main concern is for the breaks upriver. If it breaks upstream, further north, it’ll reach me “Frings stated.
Farmers, he said, took matters into their own hands by erecting a three-foot wall to prevent water from overflowing into adjacent land.
“It was a collaborative effort. I mean, every single neighbour. Everyone arrived with loaders, dump trucks, and concrete to dump “Frings stated.
Meanwhile, the Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner is collaborating with the Sheriff’s Office to assess storm damage.
“We spoke with the sheriff yesterday to let him know that we’re starting that effort of gathering data and estimating potential loss,” Greer said.
According to Assistant Agricultural Commissioner Christopher Greer, the heavy rain will reduce pollination. That is just one of the flood’s ripple effects; it will take time to understand all of the long-term consequences. With all of this extra water flowing through the county, there is a silver lining.
“Hopefully, it will bring infrastructure to light. We desperately need water storage in the valley “Greer stated.
He stated that understanding will aid in the production of crops for the rest of the world.
According to Greer, the agricultural industry is resilient. Despite the significant losses, he says it’s been wonderful to see dairy farmers helping each other during this difficult time.
