At a recent Ag Breakfast Club meeting in Fresno, CA, farmers joined English-American Commentator Steve Hilton live on Fox News to share their urgent need for increased water allocations, among other challenges that need to be addressed to support agriculture across the state. Former policy adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron, Steve is also seriously considering running to succeed Governor Newsom in 2026. Watch as Steve joins Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to discuss his views supporting agriculture and the need for a “California revolution”.
Tag: California drought
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Central Valley Farmer Responds to Initial 2025 Water Allocation
On February 25, the Central Valley Water Project announced an initial farm water allocation of 35%. This comes as welcome news to farmers that were hampered last year around the same time by an initial allocation of only 15%. Watch this brief interview with pistachio/carrot grower and Director at Westlands Water District William Bourdeau, as he shares his perspective on the announcement on California Ag Network with Matthew Malcolm.
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SGMA Progress Hampered by Insufficient Surface Farm Water Allocations
Farmers and local water districts have worked together endeavoring to rebuild and sustain California’s underground aquifers through groundwater recharge projects among other conservation practices. Much progress has been made in complying with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), but without access to adequate surface water in year’s of plenty such as this, farmers are left struggling to keep their crops alive and productive, prematurely having to tap back into groundwater supplies. Watch this brief interview with pistachio grower and Chairman of the California Water Alliance — William Bourdeau, as he explains. And read about farm water solutions in the September issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
Special thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.
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Low, Late Water Allocations Undercut California Ag, Pistachio Grower Aims to Make a Difference
After years of drought conditions, California has finally had a couple years of great rainfall and snowpack — yet that has not translated to much better water availability for California growers responsible for feeding the world with some of the safest most nutrient-dense crops. With the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) taking effect in the state as well, growers are very concerned for the future of their family operations. Crippled by gov’t regulations and delayed water allocations, watch this brief interview with pistachio grower Rebecca Kaser, who farms in Westlands Water District and aims to make a difference.
Special thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.
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California Growers Celebrate Legislative Win Supporting Groundwater Recharge
Last Fall, Governor Newsom signed SB 659, The California Water Supply Solutions Act of 2023, sponsored by the California Association of Winegrape Growers and the Regional Water Authority in Sacramento. But what does this mean for California farmers implementing groundwater recharge practices in the coming months? Watch this video with Michael Miiller from the California Association of Winegrape Growers to find out.
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LandFlex Succeeds as an Incentivizing Farmer-Driven Solution for SGMA Compliance
Permanently retiring millions of acres of productive California farmland is not a solution the growing world population needs right now. That is why a new program, known as LandFlex was created, providing an alternative solution to assist farmers in meeting the requirements of SGMA. Millions of dollars of LandFlex funding have recently been awarded to serve farmers within critically overdrafted basins of California. Watch this video with Anja Raudabaugh, CEO Western United Dairies, to learn more about the success of the program.
Please thank this video’s sponsor afimilk for their industry support.
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Application Deadline Approaching for On-Farm Water Recharge Incentive Funding
It’s very important for California farmers to know that not only will there be more funding available in the next round of the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), but the application deadline is coming much earlier this year. And for growers that are interested in getting some incentive funding for participating in on-farm groundwater recharge, applications are due by Nov. 3rd. Watch this brief interview with Wendy Rash from NRCS to learn more.
Please thank this video’s sponsor afimilk for their industry support.
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Turlock Irrigation District Comments on Serving Farmers in a Wet Year
With the bountiful supply of much needed rain and snowpack over the winter and spring, watch this brief interview with Michelle Reimers from Turlock Irrigation District as she shares how they are utilizing it, serving and protecting their farming customers this summer with full water allocations.
Please thank this video’s sponsor G3 Enterprises for their industry support.
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California Farmland to Serve State in Recharging Groundwater Supply
The Governor of California recently issued an Executive Order allowing local water districts to utilize floodwater for groundwater recharge purposes, a record amount of which will take place on California farmland. This is desperately needed and welcomed by farmers and other water users all over the state that have suffered decades of drought conditions. Watch this brief interview with Adam Borchard from the California Fresh Fruit Association for more insight on what the announcement entails.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
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Legislation to Improve California Water Situation With Recharge
While a record amount of rain has fallen on the drought-stricken soils of California over the winter, this will unfortunately not solve the state’s ongoing drought and water supply issues. Watch this brief interview with Michael Miiller from the California Association of Winegrape Growers as he shares a new push for the state’s cooperation and support for groundwater recharge as a solution for times like these.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.