Here in the Central Valley, we know that many of the region’s most pressing problems — from how to capture, store and convey our water, to the need for innovative and sustainable solutions in the face of changing climate and regulations — will not be solved overnight and will necessitate responsible leaders making smart and informed decisions over multiple generations.
That is why the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors place such high importance on supporting and educating California’s aspiring agricultural leaders. The people who will sit at the table making decisions tomorrow need both a clear understanding of the obstacles we face and the vision to craft innovative, sustainable solutions.
In August, we were honored to once again host fellows from the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF), an advanced leadership development program that equips the next generation of leaders in the agricultural industry with essential knowledge of the field.
Over the course of two days, the group toured critical infrastructure projects and learned of the existing challenges — and innovative solutions — facing the Central Valley and the agriculture industry.
We heard from leaders like Joe Del Bosque and Case and Darcy Vlot, who shared what they have learned in running their respective farms, the ways that they have overcome challenges through collaboration with their neighbors in the Valley, and the importance of telling our story both locally and through the press.
We toured the Los Banos Detention Dam, San Luis National Wildlife Refuge and Mendota Dam where participants were able to see successful strategies for water conservation and habitat restoration.
One focal point of the day was an education about the San Joaquin River Restoration Program, which is an example of how we can use modern technology and intensive resource management to both protect fish populations and ensure growers receive the water they are promised.
The first day finished with a panel discussion featuring Adam Nickels, Acting Regional Director, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Great Basin, and John Yarbrough, Deputy Director, California Department of Water Resources, who together helped give a better lay of the land of water operations and how decisions at the federal and state levels are impacting California’s water operations and initiatives.
On day two, we toured two sites that are essential to managing the region’s water and protecting vital and endangered species in the ecosystem — the C.W. Bill Jones Pumping Plant and the Tracy Fish Facility.
The group also visited the Del Puerto Canyon Reservoir Project site, which the Exchange Contractors are proud to work with alongside our partner agency, Del Puerto Water District, and heard from their General Manager, Anthea Hansen.
Once complete, the project will store up to 82,000 acre-feet of water in the 800-acre reservoir — providing critically needed water reliability and flood management in the region.
Together, we wrapped up the tour at San Luis Reservoir, where we discussed influential remarks given by President Kennedy at the 1962 groundbreaking of the facility and examined current and future modernization efforts.
We were especially excited to welcome U.S. Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13), who has been an ardent supporter of the agricultural industry and the Central Valley.
We appreciated him for taking the time to share his insights on how he has worked at the federal level to ensure projects and initiatives are not only funded but also able to be built quickly and efficiently without being bogged down in bureaucracy.
This event is always one of the highlights of my year. As a CALF graduate myself, I take great pride in sharing my understanding of issues with leaders in our industry and helping them develop an even better understanding of the nuances of our region’s challenges and the innovative solutions we are working on to address them.
After spending time with this cohort of future leaders, I feel confident and excited for the future of our industry and the Central Valley with these folks at the helm.
