As the end of 2022 neared, California was still in the grips of a devastating three-year drought that resulted in the fallowing of an estimated 1.3 million acres of farmland . and working for solutions Being resilient Then, 2023 brought the state a deluge including 31 atmospheric storms and 1 tropical storm . Statewide precipitation was 141% of normal . The Sierra Nevada snowpack peaked at 237% of normal in April. While suddenly blessed with ample water supplies for the season, farmers and ranchers faced starkly different challenges. Heavy rains in January and March caused massive flood damage in agricultural regions. In Monterey County alone, the famed vegetable-growing Salad Bowl reported $600 million in damages to crops and farm infrastructure . In the San Joaquin Valley, hundreds of millions of dollars in losses were reported as the former Tulare Lake filled with floodwaters that inundated farms and dairies. Damages in Kings and Tulare counties from March and January atmospheric storms were respectively estimated at $168 million and $76 million. In August, the freakish Tropical Storm Hilary caused severe damage to the San Joaquin Valley’s annual grape growing industry, valued at $2 billion . Wind and rain damaged 35% of grapes that remained on vines when the storm struck. In Sacramento, Farm Bureau’s Government Affairs Division worked with lawmakers, Gov. Gavin Newsom and state agencies to secure relief. Our policy advocates helped bring in $160 million in emergency aid that was added to the state budget. It included $20 million for agricultural business impacted by the storms . Another $20 million went to Monterey County for direct relief for residents in Pajaro , a farming community inundated after levee breaks on the Pajaro River. $20 million was delivered to Merced County to help residents in the flooded town of Planada. In addition, $95 million was allocated in statewide support , including for storm preparedness, response and direct relief. And $5 million was provided to the California Underserved and Small Producer Program . That included grants of up to $100,000 for small organic dairies that suffered either flooding or drought impacts.
31 atmospheric storms
1 tropical storm
141% precipitation statewide
In Washington, D.C., our Federal Policy Division worked on long-term disaster assistance for multiple events in recent years. Our team worked on legislation that helped secure $16 billion from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to distribute for numerous recovery efforts nationally, including disasters experienced in California. In addition, $549 million was distributed to California agricultural producers under the Emergency Relief Program
$160 million in emergency aid $20 million for agricultural businesses impacted by the storms $95 million allocated in statewide support
for catastrophic events, to help recover from disasters such as the devastating wildfires in 2020 and 2021. Funding included $171 million for specialty crop growers impacted by disasters. In addition, millions of Californians in 44 counties affected by 2023 flooding were offered extensions until November to submit individual and business tax returns to the Internal Revenue Service.
Powered by FlippingBook