Central Valley farm communities brace for the drought

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Feb 12, 2014

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Central Valley farm communities brace for the drought

California's drought woes are getting the attention of lawmakers in Washington with California Senators Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer introducing drought legislation to help the state deal with the drought.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - JUNE 26: A crop sprinkler brings water to a field as drought conditions worsen on June 26, 2007 near Bakersfield, California. Dairy farmers are still reeling from the 2006 heat wave and a hard freeze in January that devastated citrus and other crops. Little rain and a snow pack in the Sierra Nevada Mountains that is only 29 percent of normal is bad news for area farmers. One farm north of Bakersfield has reportedly received only one inch of rain instead of the usual five making this the driest year since its records began in 1910. To the south, Los Angeles is experiencing the driest year since its records began in 1877, according to the National Weather Service. Farmers and ranchers in 23 California counties so far are being offering assistance by the state. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

California's drought woes are getting the attention of lawmakers in Washington with California Senators Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer introducing drought legislation to help the state deal with the drought.

The bill is the Democratic response to a GOP drought bill in the House.

KQED's Central Valley reporter, Sasha Khokha, joins the show with the latest on the how the farming communities of the Central Valley are dealing with the water shortage.