"Fighting For Water In The Arid Imperial Valley"

"Southern California's Imperial Valley produces about 80 percent of the nation's winter vegetables. But years of drought, and a population boom in the Southwest, now threaten the water supply in the desert region — and all those cheap winter greens.

The next time you eat a salad this winter, picture the valley Vince Brooke is driving through: A beige desert set against glittering fields of green. Brooke works for the local irrigation district, and gives tours to busloads of water wonks from various Southwest cities through this valley — down the bumpy roads, past cropland and canals.

"You know, you can tell when they just are not, how can I say this diplomatically?"

They're just not, on board, Brooke says with the way agriculture uses water down here."

Krissy Clark reports for NPR's Morning Edition February 10, 2011.