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.
Tag: Westlands Water District
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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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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.