It isn&#x27;t. The problem in California isn&#x27;t due to grains, which are annual crops. The problem is due to farmers planting water-hungry perennial tree crops, like almonds. The problem with perennials is that they take three to four years of constant reliable water to grow properly and produce crops. Somehow, in the middle of the largest drought in California history, you have farmers who believe that it&#x27;s all right to plant crops that require <i>years</i> of water before they become profitable. That&#x27;s the core of California&#x27;s water problem, and why I have very little sympathy for California&#x27;s current plight.