The annual California Small Farm Conference in San Diego will run through today, and the ongoing drought is high on the list of topics attendees aim to tackle.
The conference, which promotes the "sustainability and viability of small and family-owned farming operations and farmers markets," offers workshops and opportunities to go off-site and visit some local farms to learn from experts.
The four-day event, which began Saturday, includes workshops on the seasonality of California fruit crops, urban farming and new legislation that impacts farmers' markets.
Given the drought and rising water prices, this year's attendees are also visiting a vegetable operation, dry-farmed vineyard operation and a multi-species livestock operation to learn about innovative ways to conserve water.
Karen Rich Firestein, president of the California Small Farm Conference, said the meeting helps farmers share ideas on how to be economically viable.
"It (drought) is having an impact, and we're seeing many different ways farmers are changing their practices," Firestein told KPBS Midday Edition on Monday. "In many cases, farmers are switching out which crops they're growing."
San Diego County is home to more small farms—10 acres or less—than any other county, according to San Diego County Farm Bureau.
About 500 people are attending the conference at the San Diego Marriott in Mission Valley.
For more information, go to www.californiafarmconference.com.
Source: www.kpbs.org