MURRIETA, Calif. (AP) — Leo Ortega started growing spiky blue agave plants on the arid hillsides around his Southern California home because his wife liked the way they looked. A decade later, his ...

Climate change is affecting our food, and our food is affecting the climate. NPR is dedicating a week to stories and conversations about the search for solutions. Most of the United States' fruits and ...

As extreme heat, drought and wildfires continue across much of the west, some growers are looking for plants that can withstand these harsh conditions and still produce a profit. One plant that’s ...

California faces one of the driest climates in the United States, making it an ideal location for harvesting a number of crops, including the natural agave nectar. Conventional watering practices ...

Australia's emerging agave industry is attracting interest from distillers, farmers and scientists who believe the spiky plant could transform everything from tequila production to sustainable ...

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Most of the country’s fruits and nuts, like avocados and almonds, come from California. But scientists say human-caused climate change means more extreme heat and intensifying periods of drought for ...

This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today. How does climate change affect where ...