California Agricultural Water Stewardship Initiative
Farm Water Toolbox – A Regional Forum for the Northern San Joaquin Valley Farm Community held March 25, 2010
We are pleased to share with you these materials on sound agricultural water management for increased farm water security. This meeting brought together key agriculture water experts and practitioners to share current state of knowledge on policy and practice. See below for the results:
- Farm Water Toolbox: Know your Risks, Plan for the Future, Meeting Results from a Regional Forum for the Northern San Joaquin Valley Farm Community
- Why Water Stewardship for Agriculture? Prepared by Dave Runsten, Community Alliance with Family Farmers
- Drought-Proofing Your Farm Checklist, Prepared by Michael Cahn, Irrigation and water resources advisor UC Cooperative Extension, Monterey County
Merced Water Forum Presentations (some images removed to decrease file sizes)
- Grower Panel: Aaron Barcellos, A-Bar Ag Enterprises
- Organic Matter(s): Neglected Component of Soil Function and Soil Moisture Retention, Rex Dufour, National Center for Appropriate Technology
- California Groundwater, Water Supply and Water Use, Thomas Harter, UC Davis
- Towards a Water Policy for Family Farmers in California, Dave Runsten, CAFF
- San Joaquin Valley Water Management Plan, Jim Tischer, Center for Irrigation Technology, CSU Fresno
- Water Management Strategies to Improve Productivity and Protect Water Quality, Dong Wang, USDA-ARS Water Management Research, Parlier, CA
Co-hosted by the Ecological Farming Association, the California Agricultural Water Stewardship Initiative, and the East Merced RCD. Funded by: USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA), Columbia Foundation, Gaia Fund, New Era Farm Service, Full Belly Farm, Stonyfield Farm, Westbridge and Harmony Farm Supply.
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Reducing dependence on dwindling water supplies will protect the future viability of agriculture and food production in California and beyond. Smart water use – agricultural water stewardship – helps producers lower costs, maximize productivity, and improve soil health. These practices are core to the values that characterize sustainable agriculture. The enclosed materials provide a lens into policy, research and practice that is charting a new course for growers in the region. These materials are also available on the California Agricultural Water Stewardship website.
The pdf version of Water Stewardship: Ensuring a Secure Future for California Agriculture is now available for download.
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CAFF Presents: Dry Farming: Boosting the Bottom Line
Spend the morning of July 28th, 8:30am to 11:30am learning the history, techniques and tools of dryfarming grapes in Sonoma County. Join Will Bucklin in his 158 year old vineyard, Bucklin Old Hill ranch, with 26 varieties of grapes along with Joe Votek of Loma del Sol on Sonoma mountain. Dave Runsten, CAFF’s Policy Director, will introduce the Ag Water Stewardship Resource Center. Topics to include: tillage, cover crops, water use, root stock, composting and more. Bring your questions and comfortable shoes for an informative day in the fields.
Hosted by Bucklin Old Hill Ranch, Glenn Ellen. Sponsored by North Coast Chapter of Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
See CAFF and California Agricultural Water Stewardship Initiative (CAWSI)
Space is limited Please RSVP by July 19th to: bjmatthes@comcast.net
Refreshments served. $20 per person/$10 for CAFF members
