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.
It’s that time of the year as pistachio harvest nears that American Pistachio Growers (APG) gathers its members together at the Visalia Convention Center. But this year, growers are invited to more than just your typical Summer Luncheon. This longtime tradition has been reinvented into an all-day event to support the booming western pistachio industry. APG’s Wes Wilson met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to share a sneak preview of what growers can expect in attending the Pistachio Industry Insights Day. Watch this brief interview and be sure to come see Pacific Nut Producer Magazine there as a proud sponsor of this event.
A multi-disciplinary authorship group of over 30 individuals has published a report comprised of literature review, policy analysis, and recommendations pertaining to the water impacts of cover crop practices in California’s Central Valley under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
The report, entitled “Cover Cropping in the SGMA Era,” is the product of a convening process jointly developed by the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD), California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Natural Resources Conservation Service of California (NRCS-CA), and University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) and assembled by Sustainable Conservation.
Cover Crops and their Potential
Cover crops are non-income generating crops that are used to protect and improve the soil between regular annual crop production (such as tomatoes), or between rows of perennial tree and vine crops. The benefits of cover cropping include improved pollinator habitat, infiltration, water storage, carbon capture, and soil health, as well as decreased runoff and erosion – all vital factors in California’s changing agricultural context. These potential benefits are especially salient in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV), where groundwater challenges are more acute. Thus, this report evaluates the water implications of cover cropping practices to lay the groundwork for their adoption in the context of SGMA.
Report Findings and Recommendations
To understand the potential of cover cropping under SGMA, the report’s authors came together to answer the following questions:
What are the impacts of cover crops on water cycles (both benefits and use) for California farms?
How does SGMA management account for cover cropping and is it capturing cover crop benefits alongside their water use?
How can we ensure that this practice remains available to growers where and when it makes sense?
This report synthesizes the learnings from the collaborative initiative including 100+ multidisciplinary experts, a policy analysis, interviews with Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) staff and consultants, and the expertise contributed by its 30+ authors. In light of these findings, the report advances a series of recommendations aimed at bridging critical knowledge gaps, enhancing the integration of cover crops into policies and incentive programs, and bolstering data infrastructure and other mechanisms to support sustainable groundwater management initiatives. One vital throughline is the need for additional guidance from the state to support local GSAs in facing the complex challenges of developing and implementing groundwater management strategies for their local watersheds. These measures aim to maximize the water benefits of cover crops within SGMA frameworks and promote sustainable water management practices crucial for the region’s agricultural resilience and environmental health.
Side-by-side of Donny Hick’s almond orchard without (left) and with (right) cover crops after a big rain event
Testimonials
“Cover crops are one of the most popular practices we see farmers employ through our Healthy Soils Program,” said Karen Ross, Secretary of the CDFA. “Cover crops supply a host of benefits, such as helping to protect against soil erosion, improving soil health, crowding out weeds, controlling pests and diseases, and increasing biodiversity; and they can bring increased profitability as the number of other inputs are reduced. They also provide water benefits such as improved infiltration and reduced runoff. Yes, cover crops require a nominal amount of water to establish – and sometimes rainwater is sufficient — but the myriad co-benefits are worth it.”
“This report is unique because the University collaborated closely with state agencies and private sector partners to ensure that the different perspectives provided both the best science available as well as viable policy options,” said Glenda Humiston, University of California Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR). “By taking a comprehensive view, we can advance recommendations for cover crop policy that help us meet multiple goals, manage our natural resources more effectively, and avoid unintended consequences.”
“Cover crops are a valuable soil health practice that can help ensure the resilience of California farms to climate extremes,” said Sarah Light, UC Cooperative Extension Agronomy Farm Advisor. “As we balance the complexities of water and soil management, it is important to understand the role that cover crops play in an annual water budget so that they are not disincentivized in certain parts of the state. UC ANR expert participants provided science-based information during the convening sessions and co-authored the white paper. This paper can provide guidance to GSAs and policy makers who are charged with implementing SGMA in their regions.”
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.
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 afimilkfor their industry support.
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 afimilkfor their industry support.
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.
As drought conditions persist in California, farmers are making the most of every drop of water they use. However, there may be more they can do during the rainy season to put water back into the ground with assistance of the USDA-NRCS. Watch this brief interview with California Water Quality Specialist Wendy Rash to find out.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.
While much is expected of the state in resolving California’s water crisis, farmers are trying to do their part as well in conserving water for the future. Watch this brief interview with Tipton pistachio grower Dominic Pitigliano as he talks about his family’s groundwater recharge project. Read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.
Due to an economically crippling drought and the overwhelming regulatory demands of California, several agricultural groups formed a coalition and recently sent a letter to the governor and state legislature, both informing them of the challenges impacting farming families and requesting immediate action and funding to boost water storage and supplies. Watch this brief interview with Emily Rooney from the Ag Council of California as she explains.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.
