California Ag Today, Author at California Agriculture News Today

FCFB Celebrates Agricultural Journalism Excellence

This evening, FCFB announced the winners of its 30th annual Journalism Awards.

Serving as judges this year were: California Fresh Fruit Association Director of Government and Public Policy Adam Borchard; public relations specialist Tanya Osegueda; and FCFB President Mark Thompson.

Award winners received the coveted FCFB Tractor Trophy, which was generously donated by Fresno Equipment Company.

The criteria for the awards were: thorough and objective coverage of issues, given time and space limitations; educational element for the agriculture industry or the consumer; and portraying the personal stories of those who make up the food and agriculture industry, making issues relevant to consumers and Valley residents.

Dozens of entries were received. First place in each of the categories are:

Audio

Patrick Cavanaugh, Ag Information Network, “Hurricane Hillary Devastates Central Valley Table Grapes,” September 2023

Farm Trade Print

Todd Fitchette, Western Farm Press, “California Tree Nuts Under Attack By New Beetle,” October 2023

General Print

Edward Smith, GV Wire, “Bipartisan Effort from Congress Wants to Lower Tariffs. What Does it Mean for California Ag?” February 2024

Video

Kassandra Gutierrez and Richard Harmelink, ABC30, “Heat Wave Impacts on Ag and How Employers are Protecting Employees,” July 2023

FCFB thanks all the journalists who submitted entries this year and congratulates the awardees.

California Ag Today2024-04-19T07:31:47-07:00April 19th, 2024|

UC ANR offers scholarships for agriculture students, May 13 deadline

Courtesy of UC ANR News

Applications and nominations of outstanding students pursuing careers in agriculture will be accepted through May 13, 2024, for UC Agriculture and Natural Resources scholarships and awards.

Students, faculty and colleagues are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities to honor academic excellence and provide additional support for undergraduate and graduate students.

Bill and Jane Fischer Vegetation Management Scholarship is for students enrolled at ANY accredited California university, with preference given to graduate students. The recipient of the $1,000 (multiple awards possible) will be selected from students who are enrolled in fall 2024 pursuing degrees in vegetation management, weed science or agriculture specializations plant science, soils and plant nutrition, agricultural engineering, agricultural botany, plant pathology, plant protection and pest management, or agricultural economics. Students apply directly.

Howard Walton Clark Prize in Plant Breeding and Soil Building is for students enrolled at UC Berkeley, UC Davis or UC Riverside. The $5,000 (multiple awards possible) will be awarded to a promising student who will be enrolled as a senior in fall 2024 in the College of Agriculture and/or Natural Resources with demonstrated scholastic achievement and talent for independent research with reference to either plant breeding (leading to new/improved crops and new/improved varieties using appropriate tools) or soil building (leading to improving soil quality related to soil productivity and sustainability as a resource). Nomination by faculty member required.

Knowles A. Ryerson Award in Agriculture is for students enrolled at UC Berkeley and UC Davis. $2,500 (minimum one award for each campus) given to an international undergraduate student who will be enrolled in fall 2024 in the College of Agriculture and/or Natural Resources, in any curriculum, preferably after completion of the junior year. The award is based on high scholarship, outstanding character and promise of leadership. Nomination by faculty member required.

More information about the application process can be found on at https://ucanr.edu/anrscholarships.

For questions, please contact Andrea Ambrose, UC ANR director of advancement, at apambrose@ucanr.edu.

California Ag Today2024-04-17T08:39:47-07:00April 17th, 2024|

California Dairy Innovation Center Announces Q2-Q3 2024 Schedule of Dairy Products & Innovation Training Opportunities

Courtesy of the California Dairy Innovation Center

The California Dairy Innovation Center (CDIC) will be hosting Spring and Summer training programs for processors, producers, dairy industry professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, and students as well as health professionals. The courses, which have no pre-requisites, will be held at a variety of California locations and are open to all participants.

The schedule of courses includes:

Dairy Foods Technology 101 will take place May 30, 2024, in Novato, Calif.

This course is a free educational event open to all California dairy processors and end-users, dairy entrepreneurs, producers, faculty and students in food science, agribusiness, and related fields, as well as qualified suppliers to the industry. It is ideal for individuals who are early in their careers in dairy products processing, entrepreneurs, and employees in production, operations, management, sales and marketing, research and development, and quality assurance roles within the industry.

This course aims to educate attendees on the intricate processes behind dairy products creation, from the fundamentals of milk production to key unit operations for fluid milk, cream, butter, cheese, cultured products and concentrated or dried dairy products, as well as sensory science and food safety. Led by industry experts, participants can expect to learn about the science involved in turning dairy milk into classic as well as innovative dairy products, gain a solid understanding of processes and the importance of these steps to ensure quality and safety. Attendees will have the chance to engage in interactive demonstrations, ask questions, and network with fellow participants who share their passion for dairy.

No pre-requisites are required. To receive a detailed program, information on area hotels, and to register, send name (or that of any participating employees), title(s), company name, phone number and email(s) to vlagrange@cmab.net or nvanbuskirk@cmab.net by May 25^th. Full program details about the workshop can also be found on the CDIC website at cdic.net.

Yogurts, Fermented Milks and Probiotic Dairy Products, which will take place June 20-21, 2024, at UC Davis is a collaboration between the CDIC, UC Davis, Dairy Council of California, and the California Dairy Research Foundation. During the course, attendees will learn from leading experts who possess extensive experience and expertise in dairy science, nutrition, and food innovation. This course will not only cover the fundamentals of processing but will also highlight the latest nutrition research and product innovations shaping the sector, market trends and opportunities.

During the course, attendees can expect to delve into such topics as:

Latest research on the nutritional benefits of probiotics and fermented milk products.
Market trends, types of fermented milks and market opportunities for California processors.
Fundamental principles of milk fermentation and yogurt production.
Innovations in processing technologies and product development, including lactose-free, clean label and reduced sugar products.

The course is designed for dairy industry professionals, dietitians and nutritionists, food scientists, researchers, educators, and individuals interested in expanding their understanding of fermented dairy products. With a blend of lectures, hands-on demonstrations, and lab tours on campus, participants will gain practical insights and valuable knowledge that can be applied in both academic and industry settings. The event is modular, and registration covers all three sessions, meals and refreshments, and a networking reception. For more information, please contact vlagrange@cmab.net or nvanbuskirk@cmab.net.

There are no pre-requisites required. Registration (free for health professionals) and additional information can be found at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/short-course-yogurt-fermented-milks-and-probiotic-dairy-products-tickets-867978094847.

Save the Date:

Advanced Cheesemaking: July 16-17. This two-day practical, hands-on course will take place at the Dairy Products Technology Center, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

Registration: https://dairy.calpoly.edu/short-course-symposia

2nd Annual Innovation Workshop & State of the Industry: September 12, at Fresno State.

Registration: www.cdic.net

Hispanic, Italian and Mediterranean Cheeses: October 8-9. This practical course will feature international cheese varietals and will take place at the Dairy Products Technology Center, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

Registration: https://dairy.calpoly.edu/short-course-symposia

Short course and conference programs are co-organized with California Milk Advisory Board’s CDIC, with partial funding and contributions from Dairy Management Inc., the USDA’s Pacific Coast Coalition Dairy Business Innovation Initiative (hosted by Fresno State) and CMAB. Programs are subject to change. For more info about the CDIC and its educational opportunities, contact vlagrange@cmab.net.

California Ag Today2024-04-16T14:34:50-07:00April 16th, 2024|

UK suspends tariffs on all raw almonds beginning April 11

Courtesy of the Almond Board

Almond Board of California thanks industry and government partners for helping reduce obstacles to California almond imports.

The United Kingdom’s government announced it would suspend tariffs for at least two years on raw kernel and inshell almonds from all origins – including the U.S. – beginning April 11, 2024.

The Almond Board of California has been working for many years with the UK’s Nut and Dried Fruit Trade Association (NDFTA), the group that represents the UK processors buying California almonds. This past year, ABC provided factual information and trade data to NDFTA, which they used to officially apply to have tariffs suspended on imported almonds.

“We are grateful for our long-time partnership with the UK’s Nut and Dried Fruit Trade Association and appreciate the UK government’s approval of the application to suspend tariffs on almonds,” said Julie Adams, ABC’s vice president for global technical and regulatory affairs. “This will certainly benefit UK consumers with increased availability of healthy almond products.”

The tariffs – 4% on inshell almonds and 2% on raw kernels – have been in place since the UK left the European Union in 2021.

UK trade officials on March 18 issued a list of commodities, including almonds, that will have tariffs suspended until June 30, 2026. UK officials said there is a possibility they will reassess before that date, possibly to extend the suspension or make a permanent change.

Estimates put the costs of the soon-to-be-suspended tariffs to UK importers at about $4 million a year. The suspension will allow UK importers to offer a more competitive price on raw California almonds to UK processors, and ultimately to consumers.

UK duties of 8-10% still remain on roasted almonds (which includes flavored almonds), 8% on marzipan and almond flour, and 20% on almond paste.

“We plan to work with NDFTA to assess further tariff suspensions in the UK, and with other partners overseas to identify opportunities for additional tariff suspension requests to lower costs for importers and processors and boost demand for California almonds,” said Keith Schneller, ABC’s senior advisor on trade policy.

California Ag Today2024-04-16T08:00:31-07:00April 16th, 2024|

California Citrus Breeding Program Expanding with Congressional Support

Earlier this week, presidents of California Citrus Mutual (CCM) and Citrus Research Board (CRB) issued statements applauding Congressional leaders for recently approving additional funds for the new citrus breeding program in Parlier, California. Congress is allocating an additional $500,000 in federal funding on top of the $1 million granted last year to expand the program into California. The program will now receive $1.5 million in federal funds on an annual basis along with the $500,000 that CRB provides the program with annually.

“CRB was instrumental in developing the concept for the California based program and was also involved in efforts to establish the nationwide program while CCM advocated to secure funding,” said CRB President Marcy Martin. “Our two organizations working together on behalf of the industry has been instrumental in getting this program off the ground.”

“On behalf of the industry, I would like to thank our congressional leaders and the Committee for their continued support of this program, which will help us find solutions to issues specific to our growers located in California,” said CCM President and CEO Casey Creamer. “I would like to specifically extend our gratitude to Congressmen Costa and Valadao and Senator Padilla for championing the need for this program in D.C.”

The California citrus breeding program will focus on fresh market citrus. Funding will go towards research and development of high-quality, superior citrus selections well suited to California growing regions, changing climatic pressures, consumer taste preferences, and resistance to pest and diseases, such as Huanglongbing (HLB).

The California program is an expansion of the existing national USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) citrus breeding program located in Fort Pierce, Florida, which is focused primarily on varieties that are optimized for Florida growing conditions. Work done through the Florida program has resulted in new varieties with higher yields, increased disease resistance, improved color, and a longer shelf life.

The Florida and California breeding programs along with the continued support from the University of California citrus breeding program at UC Riverside will work together to deliver results for California based growers.

The California citrus breeding program is located at the USDA ARS field station in Parlier. Thanks to funds that have already come in, forward progress continues to be made with the addition of a dedicated scientist, developing plans for construction of a greenhouse and laboratory, and securing additional ground for the program.

To view the original press release, please visit CCM’s website or CRB’s websiteand stay tuned to their channels for further updates and related news.–

Patrick Cavanaugh

520-395-0327

California Ag Today2024-04-15T08:10:17-07:00April 15th, 2024|

CDFA ANNOUNCES VACANCIES ON FERTILIZER INSPECTION ADVISORY BOARD’S TECHNICAL ADVISORY SUBCOMMITTEE

Courtesy of Steve Lyle with CDFA

CDFA’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is announcing four vacancies on the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board’s Technical Advisory Subcommittee.

This subcommittee serves as an expert scientific panel on matters concerning efficient use of fertilizing materials and irrigation water. Members assist in setting research priorities for the FREP Grant Program and review and recommend research and outreach proposals for funding.

FREP is funded through a mill assessment on the sale of fertilizing materials, and the program facilitates research, education, and demonstration projects to improve proper use of fertilizing materials and irrigation water in agriculture. The program serves researchers, growers, agricultural supply and service professionals, extension personnel, public agencies, consultants, and the public.

Subcommittee applicants must demonstrate technical, applied and scientific expertise in the fields of agronomy, soil science, plant science, irrigation, production agriculture or environmental issues related to inefficient use of fertilizers and irrigation water in California. The term of office for subcommittee members is three years, beginning January 1, 2025. Members receive no compensation but are entitled to reimbursement of necessary travel expenses in accordance with the rules of the California Department of Human Resources.

Individuals interested in being considered for appointment should complete the Prospective Member Application Packet available on the FIAB TASC webpage and email it to FREP@cdfa.ca.gov with a two-page resume or curriculum vitae. The application deadline is Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

For further information about FREP, please contact FREP staff at FREP@cdfa.ca.gov or visit http://cdfa.ca.gov/go/frep.

California Ag Today2024-04-01T08:30:49-07:00April 1st, 2024|

Understanding Cattle Grazing Personalities May Foster Sustainable Rangelands

Courtesy of Emily C. Dooley from the UC Davis News and Media Relations

Matching Herds to Landscape Can Support Animal Growth and Ecological Needs

Not all cattle are the same when it comes to grazing. Some like to wander while others prefer to stay close to water and rest areas.

Recognizing those personality differences could help ranchers select herds that best meet grazing needs on rangelands, leading to better animal health and environmental conditions, according to a new paper from the University of California, Davis, published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science.

“Cattle can actually be beneficial for the rangelands,” said lead author Maggie Creamer, who recently earned her Ph.D. in animal behavior at UC Davis. “Vegetation in rangelands actually need these kinds of disturbances like grazing.”

Ranchers can add elements to the rangeland such as water, mineral supplements and fencing to influence where cattle graze, but little research has been done on how those efforts affect individual cows. Considering personalities could save money.

“If you’re spending all this money to add a management tool in order to change the distribution of your animals, that’s a huge cost to ranchers,” said Creamer. “Thinking about other tools, or selecting certain animals with these grazing traits, might be a better way to optimize the distribution on rangeland rather than spending a bunch of money for something that may ultimately not pan out for all your animals.”

Effects of grazing

Livestock graze on an estimated 56 million acres in California, and healthy rangelands host native vegetation and animals, foster nutrient cycling and support carbon sequestration.

Uneven grazing can degrade water quality, soil health and habitats. Optimizing grazing — including the even spread of cow pies — can improve the ecosystem while also reducing fuel loads for wildfires.

To better understand individual grazing patterns, researchers went to the UC Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center in Browns Valley and tracked 50 pregnant Angus and Hereford beef cows fitted with GPS collars.

The research

The cattle, which were tracked from June to August over two years, had access to 625 acres of grasslands and treed areas ranging in elevation from 600 to 2,028 feet. In the second year, a new watering site was added at a higher elevation.

Across the two years, the cows showed consistent and distinct grazing patterns even when water sources changed. Age and stage of pregnancy did not affect patterns, though cattle tended to clump near water and rest sites on hotter days.

The cows that ventured into higher elevations and farther from watering sites had more variability in their grazing patterns than those that stayed at lower elevations near water. That suggests it may be harder for non-wanderers to adjust to some landscapes.

“Thinking about the topography of your rangeland and your herd of cows can benefit both the animals and the sustainability of the land,” said Creamer, who next month begins work as a postdoctoral scholar in North Carolina.

Gauging personalities

Keying in on personality type may sound difficult, but the researchers also found some clues as to how to pinpoint the wanderers and homebodies. Unlike cattle at feedlots, the breeding cow population, especially on rangelands in California and other western states, live largely “wild” lives and are rarely handled, save for vaccinations and weaning.

Research due to be published later this year found that paying attention to individual cow reactions during those events can help determine personalities. The cows that appeared more passive during those handling interactions tended to be nomadic.

“We found that you can maybe predict those hill climbers if you kind of look at how they act when the veterinarian or rancher handle them,” said senior author Kristina Horback, an associate professor in the Department of Animal Science at UC Davis.

Informing practices

For ranchers, the findings could be invaluable, said Dan Macon, a livestock and natural resources Cooperative Extension advisor in Placer and Nevada counties for UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.

“Any time we can improve our understanding of cattle behavior, particularly at the individual level, it can improve how we handle livestock and manage the landscape,” he said.

Macon said that during the recent drought, it was hard to get cattle into higher country, but if ranchers could have selected the nomads, it may have saved money in terms of ranch labor and other efforts.

“If you ask a rancher who has been attentive to their cattle over many years, they know the personalities,” Macon said.

For Creamer and Horback, the research opens new doors into understanding herd behavior and dynamics, one that could be a cheaper alternative to high-tech solutions.

“Animal science tends to look overlook the mind of the animal when searching for solutions to challenges,” Horback said. “It’s always been a direct line to genetics for immunity or nutrition, but nothing about the mind of the animal. And that’s such a loss. There’s so much we can learn from behavior in the end.”

The Russell L. Rustici Rangeland and Cattle Research Endowment supported the research.

Media Resources

Media Contacts:

Maggie Creamer, Department of Animal Science, mlcreamer@ucdavis.edu
Kristina Horback, Department of Animal Science, 530-752-7018, kmhorback@ucdavis.edu
Dan Macon, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, 530-889-7385, dmacon@ucanr.edu
Emily C. Dooley, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, 530-650-6807, ecdooley@ucdavis.edu
Amy Quinton, News and Media Relations, 530-601-8077, amquinton@ucdavis.edu

Click here to read the paper.

California Ag Today2024-03-28T09:37:00-07:00March 28th, 2024|

Water risks to agriculture: Too little and too much

Courtesy of UCANR

Report recommends policies, programs and tools for farm resilience

Water is among the most precious resources on the planet. Some areas don’t get enough; some get too much. And climate change is driving both of those circumstances to ever-growing extremes.

Two UC Merced experts in civil and environmental engineering took part in a recent report by the Environmental Defense Fund examining the issue and potential solutions. Associate Professor of Extension Tapan Pathak and Professor Josué Medellín-Azuara co-authored the report, “Scarcity and Excess: Tackling Water-Related Risks to Agriculture in the United States,” and wrote the section pertaining to California.

In addition to climate change, disruptive human interventions such as groundwater over-extraction, sprawling drainage networks and misaligned governance are driving up water-related agricultural costs, particularly in midwestern and western states, the researchers found.

The problem is magnified in California, which hosts the largest and the most diverse agricultural landscape in the U.S., Pathak and Medellín-Azuara wrote, with gross revenues from farms and ranches exceeding $50 billion.

“Due to the favorable Mediterranean climate, unique regional microclimate zones, a highly engineered and developed water supply system, and a close connection between producers and research and cooperative extension institutions, California’s agricultural abundance includes more than 400 commodities, some of which are produced nowhere else in the nation,” the UC Merced researchers wrote.

But the state’s varying climate and water needs pose a challenge. Though most of the precipitation falls in the northern part of California, the southern two-thirds of the state account for 85% of its water demand. And all of those crops must be watered in the summer, when there is little, if any, rainfall.

Some of the water comes from snowpack developed through winter storms and stored in reservoirs as it melts. Much of it comes from the Colorado River.

“Substantially less water is captured and stored during periods of drought, imperiling California’s water supply and putting agricultural water needs at risk,” Pathak and Medellín-Azuara wrote.

Climate change, with increasing periods of drought between excessively wet winters, magnifies that risk.

“Further, the rate of increases in the minimum temperatures in the Sierra Nevada is almost three-fold faster than maximum temperatures, resulting in potential decrease in the snowpack, earlier snowmelt, and more water in liquid form as opposed to snow,” the researchers wrote. “According to the California Department of Water Resources, by 2100, the Sierra Nevada snowpack is projected to experience a 48% to 65% decline from the historical average.”

Climate change is also expected to affect the availability of water from the Colorado River.

Climate extremes such as heat waves, drought and flooding – giving rises to increased weeds, pests and disease – are already significantly impacting agriculture and the broader economy, Pathak and Medellín-Azuara wrote.

The state’s drought from 2012 to 2016 led to about 540,000 acres of fallow farmland in 2015, costing the state’s economy $2.7 billion in gross revenue and 21,000 jobs. With the lack of precipitation, farmers increasingly pumped groundwater to irrigate crops, depleting those resources.

The report goes on to recommend policies, programs and tools be developed for agricultural resilience, including:

Changing land use and crop management practices to support a transition to an agriculture footprint that can be sustained by the available water supplies.
Increasing farmer and water manager access to important data and innovative technological tools to support their efforts.
Reimagining built infrastructure and better using natural infrastructure so regions are better equipped to handle weather extremes.
Developing policy and funding mechanisms to support mitigation and adaptation to water-related risks, avoid maladaptation and ensure food and water security.

“California’s innovative agriculture needs to rapidly adapt to more volatile water availability, climate-driven higher water demands, and regulation protecting groundwater reserves, communities and ecosystems,” Medellín-Azuara said. “The early adoption of more sustainable practices in agriculture will likely pay off dividends both in the short and long terms.”

Added Pathak, “California faces significant challenges related to climate change, but it also presents opportunities for innovations, collaborations and sustained growth. To make agriculture resilient to climate risks, we need to engage in holistic solutions that integrates environmental, social, economic and policy considerations.”

California Ag Today2024-03-19T10:25:04-07:00March 19th, 2024|

Congressman Valadao Secures $55 Million for Central Valley Projects

Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) voted in support of the first Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Consolidated Appropriations Act, which provides discretionary resources for six of the twelve FY24 appropriations bills. Congressman Valadao, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, secured several wins for the Central Valley in the annual spending package, including $55 million in direct funding for community improvement projects. Community Projects direct existing federal dollars back to local communities through federal grants.

“I came to Congress to deliver results for the Central Valley, and I’m proud that my work on this year’s government funding bills brings taxpayer dollars back to our community for local water storage projects, infrastructure improvements, and public safety,” said Congressman Valadao. “Importantly, this bill helps us counter the threat of foreign ownership of U.S. farmland, fully funds veterans’ health care programs, and expands efforts to combat fentanyl. This is by no means a perfect bill, but it is the result of bipartisan cooperation to reduce wasteful spending, keep our government running, and provide critical support for our communities.”

Congressman Valadao submitted several community project funding requests. The following were included in the final bill. Click here for an interactive map of the Community Project Funding requests Rep. Valadao secured for the 22^nd Congressional District.

$6 million for the city of Delano’s Well 42 Project to create a new city well and treatment plant to provide clean and contaminant free water to residents.
$6 million for McFarland to repave new roads and maintain several roads that are unsafe for vehicles and pedestrians.
$3.5 million for Porterville to build a new regional access road.
$4 million for the International Agri-Center Way Extension Project in Tulare to increase safety and reduce congestion in the area.
$3.9 million for Tulare County’s Ave 56 Farm to Market Road Project to resurface 7.2 miles of roadway.
$9 million for the construction of a new homeless shelter campus in Bakersfield.
$2 million for a new Kings County Community Service Center that will house a food bank, emergency shelter, housing navigation center, and centralized kitchen.
$7.3 million for the East Lacy Corridor Improvement Project in Hanford to resurface and restripe roads to increase safety.
$5 million to reconstruct the infrastructure of MLK Jr. Blvd in Bakersfield to increase accessibility and economic development of the area.
$1.6 million for Bakersfield to construct an integrated Portable Fueling Container for the fueling of hydrogen fuel cell buses and electric vehicles.
$230,200 to provide much-needed upgrades to the Shafter Senior Center.
$1 million for the Seaborn Reservoir Project to provide new surface water supply storage and flood mitigation for the greater Tulare area.
$1.75 million for the city of Lindsay to replace an old main pipeline to improve water quality.
$3.25 million for the Arvin-Edison groundwater recharge project to reduce landowner’s groundwater pumping and provide in-lieu groundwater recharge.
$622,000 to provide critical 911 dispatch equipment for the Wasco Police Department Dispatch Center to increase public safety for Wasco citizens.

Background:

Community Project Funding requests bring certain projects, which are already eligible, to the front of the line for federal grant funding. When the funding is approved through the annual appropriations process, these organizations or local governments must still submit their grant application. This money is already being appropriated to various accounts, and through Community Project Funding, Rep. Valadao is able to direct these available dollars back to his district. If Rep. Valadao did not submit these requests, the Biden administration and bureaucrats at departments would be making the decisions about where this money would go. Members of Congress know their communities better than department employees in DC, and have a better understanding of which projects would be most beneficial to their communities.

California Ag Today2024-03-07T08:07:59-08:00March 7th, 2024|

Greg Johnson of Far West Rice Elected as President of California Farm Water Coalition

Courtesy of the California Farm Water Coalition

The California Farm Water Coalition is proud to announce the election of Greg Johnson as its president. Johnson is the owner of Far West Rice in the Sacramento Valley town of Durham. He succeeds Bill Diedrich, a San Joaquin Valley farmer who served as the organization’s president for the past eight years.

Johnson brings a wealth of experience in water management and agricultural advocacy to his new role, and the board is confident in his ability to champion the interests of California farmers and advance the Coalition’s mission of promoting efficient water use and stewardship.

“I am deeply honored to serve as the president of the California Farm Water Coalition,” said Johnson. “I look forward to working with our members and stakeholders to ensure that California agriculture has access to the water resources it needs to thrive.”

In addition to Johnson’s election, the Coalition is pleased to announce the following individuals elected to its leadership team:

Gina Dockstader, an Imperial Valley farmer from Calipatria, has been elected Vice President of the organization. Dockstader brings a strong commitment to agriculture as a member of the Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors and a deep understanding of water issues in California and in the Colorado River Basin.

Wayne Western, of Hammonds Ranch in Fresno County, has been elected Secretary/Treasurer of the board. Western’s expertise as a diversified farm manager and outspoken advocate for agriculture is invaluable to the Coalition as it continues its work to promote irrigated agriculture. He understands and supports the need for abundant and dependable water supplies for farmers throughout the state.

“We are fortunate to have Gina Dockstader and Wayne Western join our leadership team,” said Johnson. “Their dedication and expertise will be instrumental in guiding our efforts to advocate for the interests of California farmers.”

Additionally, the California Farm Water Coalition welcomes two new board members:

Brett Lauppe, representing CoBank, brings extensive experience in agricultural finance and rural improvements to the board.

Jeff Sutton, of the Tehama-Colusa Canal Authority, brings a wealth of knowledge in water infrastructure, water policy, and water law to the board.

“We are excited to welcome Brett Lauppe and Jeff Sutton to the board,” said Johnson. “Their diverse backgrounds and perspectives will enhance our ability to address the complex challenges facing California’s farm water users.”

Returning directors who were elected to new 3-year terms, include Peter Nelson of the Coachella Valley Water District, Mark McKean from Kings River Conservation District, and Diana Westmoreland representing California Women for Agriculture.

The California Farm Water Coalition is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the connection between farm water and our food supply as well as the importance of farming to the state’s economy and quality of life.

For more information about the California Farm Water Coalition and its leadership team, please visit www.farmwater.org

California Ag Today2024-02-29T15:01:15-08:00February 29th, 2024|