California Ag Network

Tag: Westlands Water District

  • Water District Receives Grant for Desalination and On-Farm Recycling Project

    Westlands Water District is one step closer to improving the water supply for local communities and farmers. Aligned with the Governor’s California’s Water Supply Strategy, Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) awarded a competitive grant to support Westlands’ Desalination and On-Farm Recycling Project (Project). Grant funding was made available for projects that help produce clean, safe, and reliable water as part of the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014.

    Westlands’ pilot Project features advanced technologies and treatment processes to capture, treat, and put to beneficial use up to 1,460 acre-feet of groundwater per year, previously unsuitable due to its high salt contents. The Project will treat the shallow and upper aquifer groundwater of the Westside Subbasin to create a source of high-quality water for municipal Westside communities and irrigation use for farmers in the District.

    In addition to supplying water for agricultural use, Westlands conveys water to rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties. The District is comprised of nearly 84% disadvantaged communities that during drought conditions, experience limited and expensive water supplies in addition to the economic and social repercussions of fallowed farmland. When this Project is implemented, it will enable Westlands to provide treated water to disadvantaged communities including the cities of Huron, Coalinga, and Avenal.

    “Ensuring Westlands farmers and the surrounding communities we serve have access to clean, reliable and affordable water is mission critical for us and we are thrilled we can get started on this innovative project to help bring additional clean water to the District,” said Jose Gutierrez, Interim General Manager, Westlands Water District. “The Project will increase local water supply and reliability, and could improve shallow groundwater quality, all of which are critical for farmers and the communities we serve.”

    Currently, technology exists utilizing reverse osmosis to treat this source of groundwater cost-effectively. However, treatment plants only purify about 75% of the volume of water that passes through them. The remaining 25% is considered mineralized or concentrated and is considered a waste product.

    Using proprietary plants that are specifically engineered to uptake salts and other constituents, Westlands will irrigate and farm salt-tolerant plantings with the mineralized water to grow a crop that will remove the salts from the water and store it in the plants. Due to this uptake of salts and minerals such as boron and selenium, the crop will be rich in nutrients, making it a valuable source of bio-nutrients for livestock once harvested.

    Working closely with the Regional Water Quality Control Board, the success of this program will demonstrate that the upper aquifer groundwater can be treated cost-effectively, and the mineralized water can be put to beneficial use by Westlands and the communities it serves.

    Planning for the project has begun and the pilot Project is anticipated to start fall of 2023. Once permitted, it will run for two years to demonstrate proof of concept.

    About Westlands Water District

    Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than seven decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.

  • Westlands Water District Names New General Manager

    The Board of Directors of Westlands Water District (District) recently named Allison Febbo as the next General Manager. With nearly 25 years of experience in natural resources, hydrology, and water operations, Ms. Febbo will be the first woman to serve the District as General Manager.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Allison Febbo to the Westlands Water District team,” said Jeff Fortune, Board President. “Allison is a pragmatic, collaborative leader with a proven track record of bridging the gap between science, engineering, and policy related to California’s complex water resource systems. She brings technical expertise and civic mindset needed to ensure a sustainable water future for the environment and the hard-working families that continue to feed the world.”

    As General Manager, Ms. Febbo will be responsible for directing, coordinating and reviewing the activities and operations of the District, and serves as the administrative head of the District in its relations with the public, legislative bodies, Federal and State governments, and local public agencies.

    “I am honored the Board has entrusted me to serve as Westlands’ next General Manager. I am committed to ensuring a sustainable, diverse water supply and continuing the high-quality services provided by the District,” said Allison Febbo. “Westlands has long been recognized as a leader in California water policy, and I look forward to working collaboratively with staff, water users, and other agencies to explore and implement creative, comprehensive and climate-resilient approaches.

    Ms. Febbo currently serves as the General Manager of Mojave Water Agency. Prior to that, she was the Deputy Operations Manager for the Central Valley Operations Office for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Ms. Febbo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Earth and Atmospheric Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Masters of Science in Hydrologic Science from the University of California, Davis.

    Ms. Febbo will begin serving as Westlands’ General Manager on April 24, 2023.

    About Westlands Water District

    Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.

  • Westlands Water District Board of Directors Appoints Tree Nut Grower Jeff Fortune to Fill Board Vacancy

    On Tuesday, March 15, the Westlands Water District Board of Directors appointed Jeff Fortune to fill the vacancy created when Director Todd Neves resigned last month. Mr. Fortune will serve through December 2022, when he will stand for election to fill the remainder of Director Neves’ term.

    “Jeff Fortune has farmed in Westlands for more than four decades. The Board will benefit from his experience and perspective as the District navigates unprecedented drought, implementation of the sustainable groundwater management act, and many other challenges in the months and years ahead,” said Westlands’ Board President Ryan Ferguson.

    Mr. Fortune, a third generation California farmer and the second generation Westlands farmer, is a “boots on the ground” farmer. Since his graduation from the University of California at Davis, he has worked alongside his father, and more recently, his two brothers, at their family farm, Fortune Farming Company. Mr. Fortune currently grows tomatoes, almonds, and pistachios on his family farm.

    “I’m grateful for this opportunity to serve,” Mr. Fortune said after being appointed, “Instead of sitting back and watching our farms, farmers, and communities struggle, I am taking this opportunity to offer my experience and ideas to help this District remain a place where family farms like mine can not only continue to operate, but can once again thrive.”

    About Westlands Water District

    Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation, and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.

  • New Report Finds Over 35,000 Local Jobs Rely on Westlands Water District Ag Production

    A new analysis highlights the significant, positive economic impact that agricultural production within the Westlands Water District has on the State of California and the country as a whole. The Economic Impact of Westlands Water District (Study), conducted by Michael A. Shires, Ph.D., outlines the far-reaching consequences of inadequate and unreliable water supplies on economies and communities.

    The Study analyzes the economic impacts of the agricultural activities occurring within Westlands Water District. The Study also investigates how challenges such as water supply restrictions, climate change, inflation, supply chain disruption, and the COVID-19 pandemic can seriously threaten the quantity and quality of food available to the people of this nation. Taken together, these challenges underscore the important role that California’s agricultural production plays in national security and why protecting America’s domestic food production is essential.

    According to the Study, on an annual basis, agricultural production within Westlands Water District is responsible for generating over $4.7 billion in economic activity and supporting over 35,000 jobs across the regional economy. These jobs produce the wages, tax revenue, and consumer spending that drive economic activity throughout the state.

    “The farms within Westlands Water District are significant suppliers of fresh produce and other agricultural products both to the nation and the world. Activities in Westlands directly and indirectly employ and support tens of thousands of households and creates billions of dollars of economic value,” said Dr. Shires. “While there are a range of complex, modern policy and economic crises that may influence the level of that production, there is no real domestic alternative for production of these critical agricultural products.”

    The farms in Westlands and the associated share of the country’s food supply, are at risk. “While farms in Westlands continue to produce billions in economic activity, support communities in the San Joaquin Valley, and employ thousands of farmworkers and growers, we recognize that this production – and the livelihoods of those behind it – is highly dependent on water availability,” said Tom Birmingham, General Manager of the Westlands Water District.

    When farmers do not have adequate water supplies, they are forced to make difficult decisions. They fallow otherwise highly productive land, and, in some instances, abandon planted acres because they lack water to continue irrigating their fields. Those decisions have widespread impacts. The Study found a “striking” correlation between “poverty levels in [Fresno and Kings] counties…with the shortfalls in water deliveries from the [Central Valley Project] to the Westlands Water District.” Poverty rates in these two counties are directly related to the water supply available to farmers in the District – when the District receives little to no water, more people in those counties suffer from poverty, and when the District receives a higher water allocation, the counties’ economic stability improves.

    Further, with no domestic alternative for the agricultural contributions of the region, the economic impacts and negative implications of an inadequate water supply extend well beyond the local community. “At a time where instability around the globe has had significant impacts on the entire continent’s access to core crops like wheat, corn, and sunflower oil – on top of rising inflation and fuel costs – protecting the Nation’s domestic agricultural production capacity is fundamental to the security of the United States,” said Tom Birmingham.

    “The bottom line is that much of the food in your pantry, refrigerator, and on your dinner table continues to be available because farms in California continue to provide some 80 percent of the nation’s supply of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts. If this domestic production is curtailed, it will make the nation dependent on foreign sources which are, in turn, much more subject to supply chain, transportation, and quality problems,” Dr. Shires said. “If water supplies continue to be uncertain and volatile, there will be irreparable harm to already disadvantaged communities in the region and the acreage available to continue growing this produce will be significantly constrained.”

    To read the entire report, visit: wwd.ca.gov/news-and-reports/economic-impact/

    About Westlands Water District

    Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the westside of Fresno and Kings counties for more than six decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation, and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.

  • Westlands Water District Provides Families in Huron with Food for the Holidays

    Yesterday, employees of Westlands Water District, along with Westside Family Preservation Services Network, were privileged to participate in a food distribution program donating fresh food to families in Huron. This distribution was made possible, in part, because of an expanded donation from Westlands Water District to the Central Valley Food Bank. In partnership with volunteers and community organizations, Westlands’ staff helped box, bag, and distribute food to over 130 families in time for their holiday celebrations.

    Huron is a community in the heart of Westlands Water District and is served through the District’s distribution system. Agriculture provides jobs to many of Huron’s 7,000 residents and during the harvest season this largely Latino community typically doubles in size due to an influx of workers coming to help with harvest. However, for the past 2 years, many acres throughout the Central Valley have been fallowed due to lack of water. This has drastically reduced the number of agricultural jobs available to workers living in and traveling to Huron.

    “Our communities are suffering the impacts of the drought, compounded by COVID-19, and global supply chain issues. The District’s contribution is part of its commitment of service to our local communities” said Westlands General Manager Tom Birmingham.

    About Westlands Water District

    Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the westside of Fresno and Kings counties for more than six decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation, and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.

  • Students Awarded Westlands Water District’s 2021 Westside Scholarship

    Westlands Water District is proud to announce the eight recipients of its 2021 Westside Scholarship, which recognizes and rewards exceptional academic achievement and leadership shown by graduating seniors at area high schools.

    “Westlands is proud to recognize these outstanding students, whose accomplishments and achievements are points of great pride for the communities on the westside of the San Joaquin Valley,” commented Tom Birmingham, general manager of Westlands. “We hope these students will continue contributing to their communities during their college years and beyond and help build an even better future for generations to come.”

    The recipients of the 2021 scholarships are:

    Aidan Apgar – Aidan, a senior at Hanford West High School, plans to attend California Polytechnic State University in the fall of 2021 to study business administration. Aidan held a four-year commitment to the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program, water polo team, and swimming team. Aidan’s scholastic and extracurricular involvements were honored with a California Scholarship Federation: Lifetime Member achievement, placement on the honor roll for seven semesters, awards from both the water polo and swim teams, and FFA State and Chapter degrees. Aidan aspires to be in financial management.

    Bryan Welch – Bryan, a senior at Coalinga High School, plans to attend California State University, Fresno, in the fall of 2021 to study mass communications and journalism. Bryan has been involved with the Pleasant Valley 4-H club for 10 years, tennis team for four years, Coalinga High School Band for three years, Coalinga FFA Chapter for two years, and as the announcer for the boys and girls basketball teams for three years. Bryan has served in a number of leadership roles with these groups, such as the president of the Pleasant Valley 4-H club, the vice president of the California Scholastic Federation Coalinga High School chapter, and team captain of the boys tennis team. Bryan aspires to become a sports broadcaster.

    Chloe Scialo – Chloe, a senior at Hanford High School, plans to attend California State University, Fullerton in the fall of 2021 to study business. Chole has been involved with the Associated Student Body and is a member for the Hanford FFA chapter, earning both Chapter and Greenhand degrees. Chole is also involved with the Sons of Italy, Cabrillo, participated in the Girl Scouts of America, and has earned a 10-year award from the Dancers Edge studio. Chloe aspires to become a real estate agent or work in interior design after completing her education.

    Carlos Emilio Meza – Carlos, a senior at Lemoore High School, plans to attend the University of California, Santa Barbara in the fall of 2021, studying psychology and brain sciences. Carlos has been involved with the Guitar Club and has completed community service for the local Catholic church by volunteering time at various fundraisers. Carlos’s scholastic achievements have been recognized with an American Legion Award; Carlos also holds two jobs, one at Domino’s and another at a landscaping business. Carlos aspires to attend medical school and become a doctor or surgeon.

    Jacquelin Garcia – Jacquelin, a senior at Tranquillity High School, plans to attend the University of California, Santa Barbara in the fall of 2021, studying psychology. Jacquelin has been involved with the Youth Leadership Institute, FFA, Anime club and Drama club, and has taken on leadership roles as the President of Yearbook and Secretary of the Art Club. Jacquelin’s scholastic and extracurricular involvements have earned a Student of the Month award and an award for outstanding academics. Jacquelin aspires to become a psychiatrist.

    Marcos Rivera Hernandez – Marcos, a senior at Mendota High School, plans to attend the University of California, Santa Cruz in the fall of 2021 to study computer science. Marcos has been a member of the Mendota FFA where he has earned an FFA Chapter and Greenhand degrees and conducted his own Supervised Agricultural Experience project. Marcos is also a member of the Mendota Junior State of America club, the Mendota National Alliance on Mental Illness Club, Link Crew, and the Mendota Youth Coalition. Marcos aspires to become a software engineer after completing his education.

    Omar Almaraz – Omar, a senior at Firebaugh High School, plans to attend the University of California, Los Angeles in the fall of 2021, studying political science. Omar has been the captain of the football and tennis teams, been named a WSL Football Champion, and played for the soccer team. Omar was also involved with FFA, participating in Ag Awareness Day as the Sheep Showman Captain and winning Outstanding Showman and sheep production awards, obtaining a Firebaugh FFA Chapter Degree, and attending the California FFA Made for Excellence and Advanced Leadership Academy conferences. Omar will graduate high school with an associate’s degree from West Hills Community College. Omar aspires to become a government agent and farm owner.

    Yasin Dominguez – Yasin, a senior at Riverdale High School, plans to attend West Hills Community College Disitrict in the fall of 2021, studying political science. Yasin has been involved with the Riverdale High School SMART (Students Mobilize Awareness and Reducing Trauma) Club and served as Club President in 2020 and 2021. Yasmin has also participated in the Associated Student Body as Secretary, Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention Club as President, After Hours Club as Vice President and Secretary, Big Brother Big Sisters program as a mentor, Environmental Club, Academic Decathlon, AVID, Fresno State Education Talent Search, and Building our Leaders and Dreamers Cohort. Yasin aspires to become a writer and lawyer.

    Each scholarship recipient will receive $1,000 for community college or university expenses. Applicants were judged on their academic performance, school activities and community leadership.

    Westlands Water District congratulates each of these talented students and wishes them the best of luck in their future academic and professional careers.

    About Westlands Water District

    Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the westside of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation, and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.

  • Westlands Water District Board of Directors Appoints Ryan Ferguson as President

    The Westlands Water District Board of Directors recently elected Ryan Ferguson to serve as president of the District. Ferguson succeeds Daniel Errotabere, who will continue to serve on the Board.

    Director Ferguson was elected to the Westlands Board of Directors in 2017. His family has lived and worked on the westside, in what is now Westlands Water District, for four generations. He has farmed in the Lemoore area since 2003, growing almonds, pistachios, tomatoes, and reproduction seed cotton on their family farm. He currently serves as chair of the Finance and Administration Committee and represents Westlands on the board of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) and as an alternate on the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority (SLDMWA) board.

    “As a second-generation family farmer in Lemoore and Huron, I understand firsthand the challenges farmers in Westlands face as a result of the current drought, uncertainty about water supply, and the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. I recognize the complexity and weight of the issues the Board will navigate in the coming months and years, and I am committed to building upon the legacy of collaboration and service Dan Errotabere and those who came before him, have established,” said Ferguson. “Dan has served the westside for decades in a wide range of roles and made innumerable contributions to the District and the community at large. I know I speak for the entire Board when I say we are extraordinarily grateful for his leadership and his continued dedication to the families, farms and communities served by Westlands. The District is better off due to Dan’s leadership.”

    “It has been an honor to serve as President of Westlands, and I look forward to continuing to work with my fellow Board members, the District staff, and those served by the District,” said Errotabere. “Ryan Ferguson is a thoughtful, engaged leader with deep insight into the challenges the District faces, and I know he will lead the Board with great vision and integrity. Westlands faces many water supply challenges and grower can be fully confident your current board is focusing on securing water supply to keep agriculture sustainable in the region.”

    Director Errotabere was elected to the Westlands Board of Directors in 1993 and was most recently re-elected in 2017. He and his family currently farm in the Five Points area, growing processing tomatoes, processing garlic, processing onions, garbanzo beans, and almonds.

    About Westlands Water District

    Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation, and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.

  • Westlands Wins $3.96 Million from DWR for Pasajero Recharge Project

    Westlands Water District, which serves as the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) for the Westside Subbasin, today announced receiving $3,962,000 from the California Department of Water Resources’ Sustainable Groundwater Management Proposition 68 Implementation Grant Program to fund the GSA’s Pasajero Groundwater Recharge Project. The Project is designed to reduce overdraft and improve local groundwater conditions by using excess surface water to recharge groundwater and increase groundwater storage, thereby reducing the risk of subsidence in the critically overdrafted Westside Subbasin.

    “Given the impacts of climate change that produce extreme swings in weather and surface water availability, Westlands is continually pursuing innovative strategies to improve water supply reliability and sustainably manage local groundwater resources,” said Tom Birmingham, Westlands general manager. “Since its inception, Westlands has taken a proactive approach to groundwater management, and we’re grateful to have the Department of Water Resources’ support to develop the Pasajero Groundwater Recharge Project.”

    The Project will be developed on a 60-acre site and will include construction and installation of a new pumping facility, approximately 60 dry wells and associated metering devices and new pipeline to deliver water from the Coalinga Canal to the facility and each dry well. Once operational, the Pasajero Recharge Facility is expected to store up to 3.5 billion gallons (10,800 acre‐feet) of water over a six‐month period when excess surface water supply is available, approximately every four to five years. The stored water would be made available for later use by water users in the area surrounding the facility. Project construction is expected to take approximately three years.

    The Project is a key management strategy outlined in the Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) and the San Joaquin Valley Integrated Regional Water Management Plan to increase groundwater storage and levels. Westlands’ proactive groundwater management approach includes some of the most advanced monitoring, robust data and aggressive metering programs in the state to ensure that the groundwater basin is not harmed. Through the GSP, Westlands became the first water district in the state to integrate local groundwater resources into the District’s comprehensive water supply system. Westlands has been monitoring groundwater levels since the 1970s, and this robust historical data helped inform the GSP’s development to ensure sustainable management of local aquifers.

    About Westlands Water District

    Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation, and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.

  • Westlands Water District Awarded $1.6 Million WaterSMART Grant

    The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has announced that Westlands Water District was awarded a $1,609,000 grant from Reclamation’s WaterSMART Fiscal Year 2021 Water and Energy Efficiency Grant Program. The grant was awarded to fund the District’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project, which will retrofit 760 manually read groundwater well meters with advanced, automated metering devices that can transmit data over a regional network. By ensuring even greater water metering precision and eliminating the need to manually read the meters, the project is expected to save nearly 103 billion gallons of water and reduce 5.3 metric tons of carbon emission over 20 years.

    “Westlands has always been a leader in agricultural water conservation and water use efficiency, and the District is grateful for Reclamation’s support to implement our Advanced Metering Infrastructure project,” said Tom Birmingham, Westlands general manager. “As part of our ongoing effort to improve climate resilience and mitigate drought impacts, Westlands is more committed than ever to maximizing every drop of water and reducing carbon emissions through innovative projects like this one.”

    In addition to installing the new, advanced meters, the project will also establish a regional network that links all 932 advanced meters in the District and a database to store daily groundwater well information transmitted by the advanced meters. Implementation of the AMI project also supports the Westside Groundwater Sustainability Plan’s groundwater allocation program, which is the primary action designed to help address overdraft in the region. Westlands anticipates that full project implementation will take approximately two years.

    To maximize water use efficiency, Westlands’ water distribution system is comprised of approximately 1,100 miles of buried pipeline and water is delivered through more than 3,000 water meters. Since 2017, Westlands has invested $14.2 million in its water infrastructure system, which measures all delivered water and minimizes losses caused by seepage and evaporation. Westlands is among the few, if not the only, agricultural water agencies that distributes water through an entirely enclosed system.

    About Westlands Water District

    Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation, and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.

  • Daniel Errotabere Elected President of Westlands Water District

    On December 17, 2019, Don Peracchi announced that he would step down as President of Westlands Water District’s Board, effective December 31, 2019. Following his announcement, the District’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to elect Director Daniel Errotabere as President of the District.

    Mr. Peracchi stated, “It has been an honor to serve as Westlands’ President, and I am proud of the District’s accomplishments over the last several years. These include the District’s role in passage of the WIIN Act, its role in negotiating revisions to the Coordinated Operations Agreement, conversion of the District’s water service contract to a repayment contract, and development of the groundwater sustainability plan. The District has a well-functioning Board supported by competent, dedicated staff. I believe it’s time to provide another Director with the opportunity to serve as President of the District.”

    Tom Birmingham, the District’s general manager, stated, “On behalf of the staff, I want to express our appreciation to Mr. Peracchi. Few people understand the time commitment required to serve as Westlands’ President; it is a full-time job. Mr. Peracchi led the District through difficult times, when drought and regulatory restrictions severely reduced water supply, but because of his leadership on the Board, the District is in a good position.”

    Mr. Errotabere stated, “Don Peracchi leaves big shoes to fill. He did an incredible job of leading the District through difficult times. I am gratified that the Board has confidence in my ability to continue the course set by Don and the Board.”

    Mr. Peracchi has served as a Director of Westlands since 2008 and was elected President in 2011. He will remain on the Board of Directors. Mr. Errotabere, who previously served as Westlands’ President from 2002 through 2005, will begin his second term as President of Westlands on January 1, 2020. 

    Westlands is a public water district governed by a nine-member Board of Directors. Elections for the Board are held every two years and Directors are elected to four-year terms in office. The Board elects the District President and appoints other officers. 

    Westlands Water District is the largest agricultural water district in the United States, made up of more than 1,000 square miles of prime farmland in western Fresno and Kings Counties. Under federal contracts, Westlands provides water to 700 family-owned farms that average 653 acres in size.