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While hot weather, dimmed lights and skyrocketing utility rates have become a major inconvenience for many Californians, the state's current energy crisis is causing tremors throughout the state's food and fiber system.

Chickens will die within 20 minutes if a poultry farm loses power. Dairies have to dump milk if their electricity goes out. Prunes may be left on the orchard floor if the cost of natural gas prohibits drying them. University of California farm advisors are helping farmers cope with these and numerous other energy-related challenges.

UC experts are also suggesting long-term solutions. For instance, growers will learn how to shift irrigation practices to reduce demand on the power grid at peak times. Researchers also are taking a renewed look at forest and agricultural wastes for energy production. One scientist has developed a generator that will churn out electricity from vegetable-processing wastes and even horse manure.

The story will play out in a thousand different ways this summer. A list of sources on energy-related topics is now available at the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Web site: