Small-scale urban farmers in drought-stricken California are finding creative ways to keep plants alive without wasting water, reports the Los Angeles Times. “For those producing and selling food in the city, the drought has provided opportunities as well as obstacles.” At the 4.5-acre Growing Experience in Long Beach, vegetables and herbs grow on towers between pieces of sponge-like material. The plants are nourished by water that trickles down the columns and drains into a holding tank that contains fish, an integrated approach known as aquaponics. Growing Experience sells produce to subscribers and a handful of local restaurants. The farm manager says subscribers have agreed to accept smaller produce during the drought. With less water, fruits and vegetables are smaller than usual but still tasty, he says.