We Grow California

Will Pruitt, CEO of Water Right, LLC, and Exchange Contractor PAC Board Member, joins Darcy and Darcy this week. Will shares the Why, Where, and When certain irrigation strategies are employed.  Irrigation has come a long way in the last few decades and now, with the help of better technology, innovation, and grower expertise, not only are these systems more efficient, but they are lasting longer. There’s more to it than just turning on your “sprinklers!” That means a better Return on Investment which is an efficiency incentive.

For our Urban listeners, you are about to learn how complex “watering” really is. And for our growers, Will has some great suggestions at the end that will position you well for the future. Listen in!

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We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Imagine this: you shut off 31% of your customers for non-payment and the United Nations shows up at your door.  This is a true story and Darcy and Darcy were very curious to see how this played out. Join them as they welcome Matt Phillips, who leads the City of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department’s Customer Service Division as well as serves as the Department’s Chief of Staff.  Matt shares how he was tasked with finding a way to collect the over $200 million (you read the right!) in outstanding receivables, making water and waste-water services affordable to Detroit’s residents, with more than 50% living below the national poverty level, and all while NOT turning off services.  Curious how he is doing it?  Darcy and Darcy were! Tune in to learn what Detroit is doing and what we can all learn.

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We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

This week Dan Nelson retired Executive Director of the San Luis-Delta Mendota Water Authority (Authority) joins Darcy and Darcy. Dan shares the history of the Authority’s predecessor organization, the events that led to the Authority’s creation, key operation and water management milestones, and the best lesson he learned. The coolest part of the interview from Darcy B’s perspective was that Dan worked with Darcy V.’s grandfather, the water legend himself, C.W. “Bill” Jones Sr. who is known for bringing water deliveries to agriculture and for whom the Jones Pumping Plant is named.  Dan shares what Bill Sr. was like, what type of leader he was, and key insights that Darcy V. surely will take to heart.  Curious as to what the key takeaway from today’s episode might be? Dan Nelson is a leader whose experience and lessons are just as applicable today, as they were when the Authority started.  And that leadership transcends water and agriculture. Take a moment and listen in

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We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Darcy V is harvesting tomatoes so that means, Darcy B. is leading this discussion, and what a discussion it is!   Darcy welcomes Geoffrey Vanden Heuvel, the Director of Regulatory and Economic Affairs for the Milk Producers Council, a California dairy farmer trade association. Geoff is currently the Vice-Chairman of the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley Board.   Geoff joins Darcy B in the studio where they discuss the urgent Fall X 2 Action.

The Fall X2 Action (Technically it addresses salinity intrusion in the Bay Delta), as currently mandated, results in significant water supply reductions that provide water for the San Joaquin Valley’s agricultural industry, rural communities, including disadvantaged communities, Southern California cities, families, industry, and economies, as well as critical habitat in both federal and private wildlife refuges. This regulation has flexibility, if the APPOINTED decision-makers agree, the 350,000 AF of stored water (enough for 1,050,000 Southern California Families) we can keep this water in storage. We can save for the next dry period.  Saving for Sunny Days!

Recent scientific studies done by the National Fish and Wildlife Agency and others indicate this effort will not, and does not, help the Delta Smelt, as originally intended.  In other words, sound science is NOT driving this decision.  You can help.  Click on the links below and email these appointed decision-makers.  Let them know, that saving California water for our communities, our food supply, and all of California is our top priority: 

·      California Natural Resources Agency Secretary, Wade Crowfoot, [email protected]

·      California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director, Charlton (Chuck) Bonham, [email protected]

·      California Department of Water Resources Director, Karla Nemeth, [email protected]

·      US Bureau of Reclamation Director, Karl Stock, [email protected]

·      Governor Gavin Newsom, (have to use contact form) https://www.gov.ca.gov/contact/

Listen in!

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We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

This week Ryan Jacobson, Chief Executive Officer of Fresno Farm Bureau joins Darcy and Darcy for an interesting conversation on what a Farm Bureau is, what it does, and how they work.  Ryan discusses that over the last ten years, a lot of what he does can be summed up in these words, “There’s water ... and then there’s everything else.” Ryan shares how he serves a wide range of interests, needs, and communities.  Water-speak, as we all know, is a challenge.  Ryan also serves as President of Fresno Irrigation District, which gives him a definite advantage.

 Farm Bureau provides immense value and service to its members and communities. Darcy B learned a lot. You just might too! Listen in!

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We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

This week, Darcy B. is flying solo while Darcy V. is out of town.  Left to her own devices, Darcy welcomed into the studio Dusty Ference, the Executive Director of the King’s County Farm Bureau.  Recently, Dusty and the King’s County Farm Bureau made headlines when they successfully were issued a temporary restraining order against the State Water Resources Control Board.  This order prevents the State Board from putting the Tulare Lake Groundwater Subbasin on SGMA Probation. The restraining order remains in effect until Tuesday, August 20, 2024, when the judge will consider issuing a temporary injunction.  To put it in baseball terms, Kings County Farm Bureau hit a homerun the first time at bat, and the State Water Resources Control Board has yet to get to first base.

Darcy pitched some difficult questions like how this action is sitting with their neighboring agencies, why they should have more time to comply than anyone else – including her own water agency, how the state determined the proposed fees, what's the potential impact to Tulare communities, and what are they hoping for when all the dust settles.  To find out the answers to these questions and more, listen in! 

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We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

It’s Darcy and Darcy this week and they have plenty to talk about.  First, they share information about a Central Valley event hosted by The California Water Alliance (4th Annual Water Forum) that is being held on August 7th.  This event was encouraging to both Darcys as it appears to be a non-partisan, forward thinking, solution focused event.  Check it out for yourself here.

What really got the conversation going was Darcy B’s sentiments on the current proposed “Water Bond.”  Listed on this fall’s ballot as Proposition 4, it is entitled, “The Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024.” In Darcy’s B opinion, there is very little funding, if any, for safe drinking water. Darcy V weighs in on propositions in general, but you’ll have to listen in to find out his thoughts on this one. Is this a Darcy versus Darcy or is it a Darcy and Darcy?  Ultimately, the question goes to you, our listeners, is this a water bond or a water bust? Join the conversation!

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We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

For over a decade now, Direct Potable ReUse (DPR) has been referred to as “Showers to Flowers.” Darcy and Darcy welcome back Las Virgenes General Manager and President of Water ReUse California, Dave Pedersen to talk about DPR’s next level – Pizza & Beer! 

If you recall from our December 29th episode, Darcy V wanted to try the DPR Pale Ale Beer that a local microbrewery Lady Face Mountain crafted exclusively for Dave’s project.  Dave got it to Darcy B., and she got it to the great Central Valley for Darcy’s enjoyment.  Listen in to hear Darcy V.’s candid review and then learn about Dave’s unique community engagement efforts that involve pizza, beer, gelato, and shaved ice – all made with DPR water! 

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We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Paul Minasian, long-practicing California water rights attorney, is back! Paul joins Darcy and Darcy in the studio to explain the Supreme Court of the United States’ (SCOTUS)overturning of what was known as the Chevron doctrine.  Darcy and Darcy ask Paul about the impacts this ruling may have on Federal (and State) Water Project Operations, water projects, timing impacts, and more. Spoiler Alert! The United States Constitution plays a key role moving forward!  Imagine that! Listen in!

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We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Allison Febbo, General Manager of Westlands Water District joins Darcy and Darcy this week for a long-awaited recharge, culture change, and water supply reliability (or is that unreliable water supply ?!) conversation. Allison has been in water for over two decades and served a wide variety of leadership roles however has only been at the helm of Westlands for about a year. In that short of time she has gotten Westland's Groundwater Sustainability Plan approved, forged new partnerships (Including an historical one with Metropolitan), and worked with growers to recharge almost 400,000-acre-feet.  That’s almost half the capacity of Diamond Valley Lake reservoir people!

In this episode there’s lots of great questions, interesting water conversation, and as usual, Darcy and Darcy learn new things.  We hope you do too.  

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We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.