Big farms and flawless fries are gulping water in the land of 10,000 lakes

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🗞️ Driving the news: In the summer of 2021, Minnesota faced a severe drought, shrinking numerous water bodies
• Large farms like R.D. Offutt Farms overused groundwater irrigation, intensifying the drought's impact

🔭 The context: In Minnesota, known for its 10,000 lakes, the drought led to significant groundwater overuse, mostly for agricultural purpose
• R.D. Offutt Farms alone was responsible for about a third of the over-pumping, primarily to cater to the demands of fast food companies like McDonald's

🌎 Why does it matter for the planet: The heavy extraction threatens the drinking water supply for millions and jeopardizes America's position as a leading food exporter
• Additionally, overuse of groundwater isn't limited to Minnesota but is a nationwide concern

⏭️ What's next: Minnesota's groundwater usage is incrementing at a high pace, surging from 50 permits in the 1960s to over 7,000 in 2022
• Despite permitting systems, monitoring depends largely on an honor system, making potential misuse a concern

💬 One quote: “We have this really intensive groundwater use, expanding to aquifers we don’t yet understand very well... we may not be leaving enough groundwater for future generations.” (Ellen Considine, a hydrologist supervisor with Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources)

📈 One stat: In the summer of 2021, fields linked to R.D. Offutt were irrigated using water from over 500 wells, showcasing the massive scale of groundwater consumption by just one company

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