As the wells run dry, Central Valley neighbors find common ground

When his neighbor noticed the shriveling vines and brown shrubs in his yard, he offered to fill James Turner’s well every week. But the 91-year-old won’t use that water for anything but household necessities. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

By Michael Robinson Chávez

Dec. 11, 2014 2:55 AM PT

Up and down rural Madera roads almond trees were going in, wells were going dry and farmers were putting debt-heavy bets on a crop that requires twice as much water as thirsty cotton. This is California’s almond rush, told through the stories of a 91-year-old black farmer who’s owned his piece of land for 67 years, and an Indian immigrant who’s trying to fulfill a dream.

More and more Central Valley farmers are letting their fields go fallow as there is simply not enough water to irrigate their acreage. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

You could say almonds are a doomsday food: If aquifers in the world’s farming regions continue to go down and food supplies falter, they’re a source of protein that requires fewer resources than meat or dairy. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Michael Robinson Chávez

Michael Robinson Chávez is a former staff photographer for the Los Angeles Times.