‘Towns built on agriculture’ plead for federal drought relief
As the Sacramento Valley grapples with its most damaging natural disaster to date, California agriculture is eyeing a massive spending package in Congress and pressing for emergency relief funding to ensure local economies survive the drought. Dennis reported seeds sales were down as much as 85% for De Pue, the nation’s largest independent drying and storage company, with 14 rice facilities along the I-5 corridor. As one of the primary seed providers for the Sacramento Valley, the company projects it will have just 10% of its regular volume at harvest. If the drought were to end this year, it would not have enough seed for farmers in the next growing season.