Sad...

http://www.myjobdependsonag.com/the-end-of-the-figlady/

Sue

Devastating. So sorry to read this.

Sad. Agriculture has been a risky business since the pharaoh in the Bible had a dream of seven good years and seven years of drought and famine. 

That just stinks!

That is so heartbreaking. :'( 

Sad stuff.
If any of you guys saw the topic on potted fig farm- i believe the future is there and that soon we will see greenhouse grown figs.
water control is better, fertigation is easier and the whole process is less affected by the elements.

now who wants to invest?

Alan thanks for the input . Food for thought.

That was such a sad article. I really feel for her. I imagine the same thing is happening to other farmers, and if something doesn't change soon it will increase exponentially. We could be looking at a new "dust bowl" era, but this time in reverse, people moving East rather than West.

Here's a progress report she gave at the beginning of the season in 2014: http://www.figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/show_single_post?pid=1283329179&postcount=1

I do not believe we will see large-scale growing of figs in pots or greenhouses.  The additional costs associated with such production can only be justified on a small scale to fill niche markets.  Unless we have more reliable water supplies, we will rely more and more on food produced elsewhere, IMO.

Within California there are more plantings of orchard crops in the north where water supplies have been a bit more dependable.  I never saw commercial walnut or almond orchards closer than 20 miles from me but now they are becoming common.

Sad end to a great fig farm.  Not familiar with real estate in California but assume they will be able to sell the land for a sizeable sum.
  
Given the weather is cyclical barring some log term trend.   The good old days should return so could be an opportunity for someone to buy the farm and re-plant when this drought is over.