Dear Friends,

I want to make sure everyone stays safe from the heat this week, and to stay updated subscribe to my email list.

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning beginning this morning and continuing through the 4th of July weekend. Consistent high temperatures over 110 degrees Fahrenheit will persist until next Wednesday, with little relief overnight.

Even though we’ve lived through many heatwaves before, don’t become complacent and let this one catch you off guard. As we come together to celebrate our country and Valley, let’s look out for each other.

Lastly, elevated temperatures are likely to occur multiple times this summer and fall, so this message provides information about resources like cooling centers in Stanislaus, San Joaquin County, Merced, Madera, and Fresno Counties.

Here are the signs and symptoms of heat stroke.

In a high-stakes battle for its very existence, Mojave Pistachios, a 1,600 acre privately owned pistachio farming operation in eastern Kern County, is asking a California judge to prevent the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWVGA) from shutting off the pumps that bring groundwater to its 215,000 pistachio trees. Without this water the trees will die.

On Friday, June 14, the Superior Court of Orange County is expected to rule on whether to grant the IWVGA’s motion for a preliminary injunction that, if granted, will directly cause the death of 1,600 acres of trees and shutter a locally owned, private farming operation.

Mojave Pistachios purchased and planted its land in the Indian Wells Valley (IWV) starting in 2011 and 2012, respectively, prior to implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and in accordance with applicable laws and local zoning ordinances. The first commercial harvest was completed in 2020, according to a declaration by farmer Rod Stiefvater in opposition to the injunction, and the orchards are expected to produce over 3,000,000 pounds of pistachios this year, with peak production reached in 2030.

In a series of ongoing legal battles, agriculture and business groups have argued that the IWVGA’s allocation of zero native groundwater to Mojave Pistachios and the imposition of an exorbitant replenishment fee of $2,130 per acre-foot of water is an intentional move to kill agricultural development in the valley.

Mojave Pistachios and other water users in the valley have argued the IWVGA’s unprecedented replenishment fee is unjust because it will only fund the possible purchase of a water right entitlement, not the water importation pipeline project which is required to convey imported water into the Basin. The pipeline cannot credibly be expected to ever be financed or built considering the quarter billion-dollar price tag and the terrain and environmentally sensitive habitats it would traverse.

In spite of the question of whether the IWVGA is depriving Mojave Pistachios of its water rights, a California Court of Appeal in Orange County found that this landowner cannot challenge the (lack of) water allocation set by the IWVGA without first paying the pumping fees, which today amount to over $30 million for just three years of irrigating the trees.  

No farmer, including Mojave Pistachios, could ever pay this irrigation fee. Now, the court will decide whether to turn off the water. Turning off the pumps will mean the loss of decades of productive life of tens of thousands of trees. There will be no way to undo this decision; no remedy available to the farmer who owns dead trees.

As the court readies itself to decide the fate of Mojave Pistachios and its trees, the court must take into consideration several key facts about groundwater in the Indian Wells Valley basin taken from a series of expert legal declarations:

Representing Mojave Pistachios, Scott Slater, with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP argues that it is unnecessary for the court to decide whether to stop Mojave Pistachios from maintaining its orchards because no one is being harmed by their current water use, with negligible changes in water levels at their ranch. Further, Mojave Pistachios is making great efforts to satisfy its debt to IWVGA and to propose alternative management solutions.

According to Anthony Brown of Aquilogic, the “Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Basin would not be materially harmed by the continued production of groundwater by [Mojave Pistachios] for at least the next 16 years, whereas a cessation of pumping or payment of exorbitant pumping fees would irreparably and catastrophically harm [Mojave Pistachios].”

As the IWVGA argues their views on the limit on available water, it has become evident that the modeling used for their Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) is not an accurate assessment of the basin’s sustainability. A new analysis by a technical working group of experienced hydrologists demonstrates there is more fresh groundwater in storage than Lake Mead and the sustainable annual recharge is conservatively 56% higher than what IWVGA estimated and based its Replenishment Fee upon. With millions of acre-feet of freshwater available for recovery, the plan to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to build a pipeline through sensitive desert habitat is unnecessary.

In fact, if a water importation system is the goal, the IWVGA has no concrete plan. Rodney Smith, President of Stratecon Inc, says “It is completely implausible to imagine the IWVGA will be able to finance its proposed water project.” Moreover, “The IWVGA has no assured source of financing…Securing $30 million from Mojave does nothing to solve for the more than $150 million in additional project costs.”

“As we have offered, the bottom line is that the Court can save 1,600 acres of pistachio trees, while it continues to oversee a solution for the entire basin. For unknown reasons, the IWVGA insists on relying upon its private groundwater model to support the harshest outcomes, rather than submit to a transparent and court evaluation, using best practices. Actual data, including measured water levels tell us there is exponentially more fresh water in the basin than the IWVGA wants to admit, and no risk of harm to the basin. It is no secret the IWVGA wants to end agriculture in the valley; the retribution against farmers by the IWVGA must be stopped,” added Slater.

The plight of agriculture in IWV should serve as a warning to agricultural interests across the state. SGMA’s intent was to provide a reasonable, democratic process to address the real need to protect groundwater supplies in balance with the economic realities of farmers and other water users-over the next two decades. In the IWV, where science tells us groundwater supplies abound, agriculture is being killed on a schedule that far outpaces anything contemplated under SGMA.  Experts agree there is a better way to manage groundwater in IWV that brings all interests together in a fair process that has positive outcomes for all parties-hopefully the court will grant Mojave Pistachios the right to keep their trees alive long enough to see such an outcome.

Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) led the entire California Republican congressional delegation in urging Governor Gavin Newsom to suspend the state’s upcoming gas tax increase on July 1, 2024. According to Triple A, the national average price for a gallon of gas is $3.60, but in California, the average price is $5.13 per gallon. 

“Governor Newsom has failed to provide relief at the pump for hard-working Californians struggling with rising costs,” said Congressman Valadao. “My constituents are already paying the highest gas prices in the country, and the fact that our prices are about to go up even more because of the state’s policies is unacceptable. I am once again urging the Governor to suspend the gas tax to lower prices for Central Valley families.”

For the last two years, Rep. Valadao has led efforts to suspend the annual July 1^st gas tax increase to provide much-needed relief to middle class California families struggling with inflation. The lawmakers also raised their concerns over a recent report from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that signals gas prices are expected to rise by 47 cents per gallon in 2025 due to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard reforms.

Congressman Valadao was joined in the letter by Reps. Ken Calvert (CA-41), Kevin Kiley (CA-03), Young Kim (CA-40), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Tom McClintock (CA-05), Jay Obernolte (CA-23), Michelle Steel (CA-45), John Duarte (CA-13), Mike Garcia (CA- 27), and Darrell Issa (CA-48).

Read the full text of the letter here or below:

Dear Governor Newsom,

We are extremely concerned with two upcoming gas price increases that will impact all Californians. In September 2023, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) reported that gas prices are expected to rise by 47 cents per gallon next year due to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard reforms. This increase does not include the existing gas tax, which is expected to increase gas prices by nearly 60 cents on July 1^st. Together, this more than one dollar increase will come at a time when the people of California are already grappling with the high cost of living in our state.

For the past two years, we have urged you to suspend the gas tax, given the ongoing challenges faced by Californians that are forced to choose between filling their gas tanks and putting food on the table. Our concerns have continued to be ignored while Californians suffer the consequences. According to AAA’s state gas price averages, California leads the nation in gas prices at $5.26 per gallon for regular gas, which is already 45 cents higher than the next closest state. Adding another dollar to these already exorbitant prices will be disastrous for California residents.

With the cost of goods continuing to rise across the board, we must act now to pursue all avenues of relief for California families. We urge you to immediately suspend increases to California’s excise tax on gasoline and to work with CARB to ensure that Californians do not suffer unnecessarily.

Sincerely,

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.

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.

Courtesy of California Farm Bureau

The California Farm Bureau and its partners have received $5 million from the California Department of Food and Agriculture to implement climate-smart farming practices in citrus groves in 11 counties. The project, which is part of CDFA’s Pollinator Habitat Program, will focus on hedgerow planting, carbon sequestration and soil management practices, all of which create safe pollinator habitat in citrus groves.

It will fund 20 to 45 citrus groves over three years in Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Kings, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Tulare, San Diego, Placer and Ventura counties. The citrus sector in these counties generates around $2 billion per year, playing a crucial role in job creation and contributing to agricultural and environmental sustainability efforts.

“This grant will help citrus growers offset costs associated with their efforts to increase pollinator habitat and learn more about how growers can protect pollinators while still controlling harmful insects and plant diseases,” said James Cranney, president of the California Citrus Quality Council, the lead organization on the grant. “The data collected from these projects will help the industry to tell its story about their contribution to pollinator protection and climate change.” 

The grant was awarded to a partnership between CCQC, California Farm Bureau and the Xerces Society.

CCQC will recruit citrus growers to join the program and create pilot projects that will then help other growers determine the feasibility of developing climate-smart production practices.

California Farm Bureau will provide all administrative support and technical assistance on healthy soil management practices through its science and research nonprofit, the California Bountiful Foundation.

The Xerces Society will provide technical assistance on pollinator-related aspects of the project, including native plants, hedgerow planting and identifying optimal locations for these features that balance pollinator health with crop productivity.

“It was important to bring the right organizations into this grant application,” California Farm Bureau Administrator Jim Houston said. “As the largest farmer organization in the state, we have the resources and know-how to implement such projects since we are designed to serve the farming community.”

Xerces Society Pollinator and Agricultural Biodiversity Co-Director Eric Lee-Mäder said, “We are excited to be part of this project and provide pollinator habitat technical assistance for citrus growers wanting to further their environmental sustainability efforts, including carbon sequestration, which contributes to reducing the effects of climate change. These partnerships are critical to building trust and making progress on so many different fronts.”

More than 80% of the awards will fund the cost of on-farm healthy soil management practices in citrus groves. As required by the funding agency, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers—as defined by the 2017 Farmer Equity Act—will receive at least 25% of the funds.

For more information on the awards, visit California Farm Bureau’s program webpage or CDFA’s fact sheet. 

Courtesy of the Almond Board of California

The Almond Board of California congratulates President and CEO Clarice Turner for being named one of the Top 50 Diverse Board Candidates in America by Equilar and the Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence.

The award was created to provide a definitive roster of “exemplary individuals among the pool of highly qualified diverse candidates who will propel companies and boards into the next era of board leadership,” said David Chun, founder and CEO of Equilar, a national executive intelligence firm.

“I want to give a heartfelt thank you to Equilar and Nasdaq not just for the honor but also for their collaborative dedication to advancing opportunities for underrepresented groups within today’s corporate boardrooms,” said Turner. “The Almond Board of California has long understood that different experiences and viewpoints make our industry and our communities stronger, more inclusive and more vibrant.”

Nominations for the designation came from a number of organizations across the country, a range of Equilar Diversity Network partners and the selection committee, composed of directors on S&P 500 boards, leaders in the board search industry and distinguished figures from the corporate governance sector, Equilar said.

“The Board of Directors is delighted to congratulate Clarice on this outstanding leadership distinction,” said Alexi Rodriguez, chair of ABC’s Board of Directors. “It’s an honor for her to be recognized by major business leaders around the country and it’s a testament to her leadership abilities, which are a great asset to our industry.”

Turner has a long history of serving on corporate and non-profit boards, including the Culinary Institute of America, Delicato Family Wines, the National Restaurant Association, Washington State University School of Business and San Francisco State University Lam School of Business.

Courtesy of the Friant Water Authority

Friant Water Authority CEO Jason Phillips statement on the appointment of Karl Stock as Regional Director of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

“The Friant Water Authority is excited to hear the news of the promotion of Karl Stock to be the next Regional Director of the California Great Basin Region of the United State Bureau of Reclamation. Karl has many dedicated years of service with the Bureau and has extensive knowledge of the many water challenges we are facing in the West. His long history of finding solutions to the complex issues facing water, resource, tribal, and wildlife issues will undoubtedly serve the Bureau and its stakeholders well. We look forward to working closely with Mr. Stock in his new role.

He will have big shoes to fill as the footprint left by his predecessor, Ernest Conant, is immense. Since 2019, Ernest has led the region, and one of the most complex water systems, the Central Valley Project (CVP) through some of the most challenging times, including prolonged drought periods, regulatory pressure and headwinds, and the urgent need to address aging infrastructure in dire need of attention.

Without Ernest Conants leadership, the effort and construction project to repair the Middle Reach of the Friant-Kern Canal would not be where it is today, only months away from completion.

The entire Friant Division recognizes and thanks Ernest for his dedication to the east side of the San Joaquin Valley, and we look forward to continuing our strong relationship with the incoming Regional Director in the years to come.”

Courtesy of Peter Hecht at California Farm Bureau

Shannon Douglass, a diversified farmer in Glenn County, has been elected to a two-year term as president of the California Farm Bureau.

Douglass, who previously served three terms as first vice president, is the first woman to head the organization, which was founded in 1919.

“This is an exciting moment,” Douglass said. “Farm Bureau has provided me with tremendous opportunities as a first-generation farmer. I’m excited to be part of the leadership of this organization, which represents the diversity of farmers and ranchers in our state.

“The California Farm Bureau has long played an important role in working to protect the future of America’s most productive agricultural economy,” Douglass added. “We face abundant challenges in farming and ranching today. But California remains a great place to grow food, and Farm Bureau is committed to helping our state farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses thrive for generations to come.”

Douglass succeeds Jamie Johansson, who served three terms as president, beginning in 2017. She was elected Tuesday at the Farm Bureau’s 105^th Annual Meeting in Reno.

Douglass is an owner of Douglass Ranch in Orland, which raises cattle and grows walnuts, corn and forage crops, She also co-founded CalAgJobs, an online listing of employment opportunities in California agriculture.

Douglass has served as a director of the Glenn County Farm Bureau and as chair of the California Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers State Committee. She is a graduate of the Leadership Farm Bureau program and the California Agricultural Leadership Program and participated in the American Farm Bureau Federation Partners in Advocacy Leadership program.

Douglass earned a master’s degree in agricultural policy, a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and a minor in agriculture business from California State University, Chico.

Shaun Crook, vice president of a family timber business and a real estate agent specializing in ranch, commercial and residential properties, was elected as the Farm Bureau’s first vice president. Crook has served three terms as the organization’s second vice president. He was first elected as president of Tuolumne County Farm Bureau in 2015.

Ron Peterson, a member of California Farm Bureau Board of Directors and past president of the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, was elected as second vice president. Peterson is a cattle rancher and dairy farmer who also grows silage crops and almonds.