Sacramento, Calif., (October 9, 2017) – After five years of drought, the 2017 water year brought unexpectedly heavy precipitation, ranking second only to 1983 as California’s wettest year for statewide runoff. The dramatic swing in water conditions highlights the need to develop better long-range weather forecasting to cope with the state’s highly variable annual precipitation. DWR begins water year 2018 …

Fresno, Calif., (September 22, 2017) – After a thorough analysis by independent consultants and District staff, multiple special board meetings, and grower workshops, the Westlands Water District Board of Directors voted by a margin of 7 to 1 to not participate in the California WaterFix (CWF). The District appreciates the efforts of Governor Jerry Brown and his administration to balance …

Fresno, Calif., (September 20, 2017) – The Valley Ventures Accelerator at Fresno State announced its fall cohort of start-up companies that will receive venture capital direction and support in the water, agriculture and energy technology industries. The three-month program will provide professional guidance on growing sales, company value and profitability for 11 emerging companies from primarily California, as well as …

Los Banos, Calif., (August 16, 2017) – The signing ceremony for the Water Infrastructure Authority application marks an important milestone for the water users we serve. A diverse group of stakeholders have joined together in a bold effort to advance water storage for California. As chairman of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority, I am proud to be a …

Sacramento, Calif., (June 26, 2017) – University of California students are taking a long journey through California to trace the state’s complicated and critical water supply. The recent graduates and upper-division co-eds from UC Merced, UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley and UC Davis are part of the UC Water Academy, a course that combines online training with a two-week field …

Fresno, Calif., (April 3, 2017) – The good news is that cotton acreage looks like it will increase for the 2nd year in a row.  Record rainfall and snowpack, coupled with stable cotton prices and falling prices from other commodities are leading to an increase in cotton acreage.  However, that increase is being tempered by a disappointing, less than expected …

Sacramento, Calif., (March 23, 2017) – Posted on March 16, 2017 by Karen Ross, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture; Earlier this week I joined people representing a diverse group of interests for a panel discussion about water. The event, in Clovis, was organized by Sustainable Conservation, and its title, The Common Good: Working Together for a Secure Water Future, …

Los Banos, Calif., (March 15, 2017) – Cannon Michael, a 6th generation California farmer is the newly elected chairman of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority (Authority). Michael is president of Bowles Farming Company, a family owned and operated farming company headquartered in Los Banos. Bowles Farming Company is an 11,000 acre organic and conventional farm growing fresh market …

Sacramento, Calif., (March 7, 2017) – The complex challenges that the state’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act aims to resolve don’t lend themselves to quick fixes. With the deadline for the first major step—forming “groundwater sustainability agencies” in affected basins—coming up in June, we asked Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, about progress to date. PPIC: …

Sacramento, Calif., (March 6, 2017) – The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will be discussing issues related to safe drinking water in disadvantaged communities at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, March 7th. The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N Street – Main Auditorium, Sacramento, …