Salinas Valley an oasis amid the drought

An abundant aquifer has helped Salinas weather the drought. Above, workers harvest iceberg lettuce at the Tanimura & Antle farm.

A Bengard Ranch worker picks celery on the ranch’s property south of Salinas.

Rows of crops line the landscape near the mouth of the Salinas River. The river runs underground for most of its length.

A worker picks up drip irrigation tape at a farm outside of Salinas. Farmers in Salinas Valley produce almost two-thirds of the nation’s lettuce and half of its broccoli and celery.

An abundance of water has allowed a diverse set of crops to flourish in the Salinas Valley. Above, a Bengard Ranch worker picks celery.

Workers harvest iceberg lettuce at the Tanimura & Antle farm.

Sprinklers water a field at Tanimura & Antle, a major family-run farm.