California’s epic drought is forcing almond farmers to rely on salt-heavy groundwater—which is slowly killing the almond trees and threatening almond production in the capital of the global almond industry.

Salt and almonds are a typical combination. But too much salt, too early, is hurting California’s almond industry. 

California is currently suffering through one of the worst droughts in the Golden State’s history. And nearly a gallon of water is required to produce a single almond. 

The drought has limited farmers’ access to surface water, forcing them to rely on groundwater. But groun