Did you know that California’s farms produce more than half of the nation’s fruit and vegetables? Without California’s farmers, we risk paying an exorbitant amount on imported fruits and vegetables, not to mention jeopardizing the freshness of our daily nutrients. This is why it is so important that California Farmers have a reliable water supply, and right now they do not.
Because of California’s climate, some years there will be flooding, but most years California faces drought conditions. This is why Californians needs to come together and help build sufficient water storage.
I was really touched with the Coachella Valley community. The community partnered with the Coachella Valley Water district to build a water recharge facility. What this means is, the water from that flows to the community in from the Colorado River is sent to a local lake. As additional supplies arrive from the Colorado River, water is pumped to a groundwater recharge facility and then made available for farmers and surrounding comminities who use well water. The recharge facility also plays the role of “water bank” in case of a drought.
Our first stop on the tour was to the farm of Al Kalin. Boy was he a man of many talents, and quite the storyteller too! His farm produces carrots, sugar beets, alfalfa, and wheat to name a few! Did you know that the Imperial Valley exports their wheat to Italy, where they use it to make fine pasta, then the pasta is imported back to the U.S. Crazy huh!?
We also visited SeaView farms where I successfully picked enough citrus to juice for 2 weekends of fresh screwdrivers and fresh Sunday morning orange juice. I don’t know about you, but the thought of having mediocre (at best) orange juice from who knows what country for my weekend screwdrivers because California farmers can no longer farm due to lack of water, is a cause for riot in my book!
The Imperial and Coachella Valley are also leading producers of dates. I had neverseen a date garden before this, and wow…they were stunning!
All in all, it was an incredibly informing and inspirational weekend. For more information about California’s Water problem, please visit the California Farm Water Coalition. Don’t worry they are political free!
Now, on to the giveaway!!!
I wanted to feature California's Best Farmers, so one winner will win a 2 pound box of Organic Medjool Dates from Oasis Dates and the 2nd winner will win a box of 15 freshly picked beautiful avocados from California Avocados Direct. Winners will be picked using random.com on Sunday March 10th at 9 am. Winner must respond within 72 hours to [email protected] with their address.
There are a few ways to enter:
- Subscribe to The Seaside Baker website by adding your email to the upper right of the page.
- Like The Seaside Baker on Facebook
- Follow The Seaside Baker on Pinterest
- Follow The Seaside Baker on Twitter
- Comment and let me know your favorite produce.
Once you have done one or all of these things, please comment below letting me know. I will count each item as an entry!!!!
This is not a sponsored post, however the CFWC did provide me with travel and hotel for the tour. The Giveaway is being provided by me The Seaside Baker to showcase my favorite california farms!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
I live in San Diego and love this post! I like you on FB
Averie @ Averie Cooks
favorite produce - that's way too hard! I would give anything right now for a perfect persimmons! I need to wait about 6 mos though!
Jo Pomeroy
Right now we are eating as many avocados as possible because the price is so friendly and they are so good for us. Our friends are keeping us supplied with juicy oranges and lemons. In the summer, it is strawberries morning, noon and night!
Stephanie @ Food Fit 4 Real
I subscribe to your blog already!
ssuire
Of course I like you on Facebook too!
ssuire
I also follow you on Twitter and I love avocados!!!
Cecile J.
That's a very unfair question. How is one supposed to pick just ONE produce?
It's a toss up between spinach, lemon, leeks, tomatoes, kale, dates, green beans, strawberries, zucchini, and.. and... oh dang, I just don't know.
Fine, based on verstatility ONLY, I will have to go with lemon. Because I use it to cook, cure fish, juice, clean, and as an air freshener!!
AnnaZed
I subscribe to The Seaside Baker to this box: margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com
AnnaZed
I like The Seaside Baker on Facebook
AnnaZed
I follow The Seaside Baker on Pinterest
AnnaZed
I follow The Seaside Baker on Twitter as @AnnaZed
AnnaZed
My favorite produce? I'm going to have to go with the humble apple; what a wonder of health benefits it contains, how great it is to cook with yet how easy and satisfying just to eat in its natural state. Love, love apples.
Elena Vo
Thanks for the fun giveaway! I am a subscriber at tariqsaleemrana at yahoo dot com, liked on Facebook as Elena Vo, followed on Pinterest as blessedfosho, and on Twitter as @lifesdeepcolors.
My favorite produce is mangoes. There are so many ways to cook them! I like them in a salsa, or with fish, or put an Indian twist on them and pickle them while they're still green...oh, and mango chutney is amazing on buttered toast.
littleleopardbook
What a fun weekend! So glad I could be a part of it!
domestic diva
I love kale.
Beatriz
we LOVE spinach!
rachel
Strawberries and peaches!
rachel
Also, I like you on FB
gina
i like you on facebook
gina
i subscibe to your blog.
gina
i follow you on pinterest
gina
My fav produce is broccoli!
dishinwithdidi
I subscribe to your emails, have from day one!
dishinwithdidi
I like you on FB. That's how I found you! 🙂
dishinwithdidi
I follow you on twitter even though I cant tweet at the moment. My account has that no tweet that's been going around, ugh!
dishinwithdidi
I follow you on Pinterest.
dishinwithdidi
One of my ultimate favorite produce to eat and cook with is citrus of all kinds!
chris conanan
i liked facebook and signed up for emails
Marnie
My favorite produce is plums! I liked you on Facebook and followed you on Twitter. 🙂
Carolyn G
I love avocados
Carolyn G
Subscriber
Carolyn G
follow you on twitter: carogonza
Carolyn G
follow you on facebook: Carolyn gonzalez
meme
We love grapes and strawberries too
meme
email subscriber
manda kay
I like you on FB!
manda kay
I follow you on twitter.
manda kay
I love squash!
luvdaylilies
I love fresh avocados! Salads, dips, on sandwiches, delicious=)
luvdaylilies
I follow you via twitter as Luvdaylilies
luvdaylilies
I love avocados!
luvdaylilies
I follow you on pinterest http://pinterest.com/ladyl/
luvdaylilies
I am a follower via email=)
Joanna A.
I subscribe to you on Bloglovin'!
Joanna A.
Like you on Facebook!
Joanna A.
Follow you on Pinterest!
Joanna A.
Follow you on Twitter!
Joanna A.
Dates and avocados might be my two very favorite kinds of produce....that's why I love this giveaway!!!
Kayron E
Just discovered your blog via AT and subscribed...and just in time for this contest! Hooray! But, seriously, who can pick one favorite produce item?!? Hmm...I'd have to say that it's whatever I'm eating at the moment 🙂
susitravl
Follow The Seaside Baker on Pinterest
susitravl
Follow The Seaside Baker on Twitter
susitravl
My favorite produce - homegrown tomatoes.