The November 2024 elections are over and a whole new class of elected water board directors are about to take their seats. Many of these individuals ran on the promise of lower water rates, improved water reliability, more transparency, etc. But what can they really deliver? Darcy and Darcy welcomed Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District’s (EVMWD) Board President Chance Edmonson into the studio to share his perspective of what it was like when he became a board member. Chance was appointed to the EVMWD Board in 2021 to fill a vacancy and then in 2022 ran for the seat and won. Chance shares what he thought being a board member was going to be like, what it really is, what he has learned, what has been the most difficult part of the job, and offers some advice for those that are about to take their oath. Listen in and hear what he has to say and then share it with someone you know that’s about to take office.

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We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Johnny Amaral, Chief External Affairs Officer at Friant Water Authority, joins Darcy and Darcy in the studio this week for an enlightening conversation. Recently, Johnny moderated a panel that Darcy B. participated in and Darcy V. attended. This annual event was hosted by the Association of California Water Agencies, Regions 6 & 7. The panel focused on “successful” regulatory management strategies.

As part of that panel discussion, Johnny shared that water agencies, irrigation districts, and water purveyors from all over the state have been negotiating themselves out of reliable water supply for over thirty years. This graph, known as the Golden Trophy chart, demonstrates the reduction in water supply. Each milestone was intended to be the trophy, or the finish line, ensuring a reliable supply from that point on. However, guess what happened? Let’s just say, the last thing Californians need is another “Golden Trophy.” Listen in as Johnny shares the details!

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We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

It’s October 2024 and the new water year has begun! Chris White, Executive Director of the San Joaquin River Water Authority Exchange Contractors joins Darcy and Darcy in the studio and lets us know how the California 2023-2024 water year ended, what water storage levels are, and what the next water year may hold. The age old question is before us once again, “Will it be wet or dry?” Tune-in and see what Chris has to say!

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We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

In the early 1900’s California water projects were Big and Bold. Today’s guest, Mehul Patel, Orange County Water District’s Executive Director of Operations, oversees a project that can be classified in that same category – the Groundwater Replenishment System or GWRS. The only reason urban water agencies are even talking about, let alone planning for, direct potable reuse is because of this project. Mehul joins Darcy and Darcy in the studio and shares the history of the project back to Water Factory 21, the courageous decisions two agencies had to make to move forward and make significant investments, and of course, one-of-the-most-important-things-of all, how they overcome the “Yuck factor” when so many others could not.

Mehul also shares how anyone, yes anyone, can get a tour of this world-class facility. Listen in!

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We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Will Pruitt, CEO of Water Right, LLC, and Exchange Contractor PAC Board Member, joins Darcy and Darcy this week. Will shares the Why, Where, and When certain irrigation strategies are employed. Irrigation has come a long way in the last few decades and now, with the help of better technology, innovation, and grower expertise, not only are these systems more efficient, but they are lasting longer. There’s more to it than just turning on your “sprinklers!” That means a better Return on Investment which is an efficiency incentive.

For our Urban listeners, you are about to learn how complex “watering” really is. And for our growers, Will has some great suggestions at the end that will position you well for the future. Listen in!

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We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Imagine this: you shut off 31% of your customers for non-payment and the United Nations shows up at your door. This is a true story and Darcy and Darcy were very curious to see how this played out. Join them as they welcome Matt Phillips, who leads the City of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department’s Customer Service Division as well as serves as the Department’s Chief of Staff. Matt shares how he was tasked with finding a way to collect the over $200 million (you read the right!) in outstanding receivables, making water and waste-water services affordable to Detroit’s residents, with more than 50% living below the national poverty level, and all while NOT turning off services. Curious how he is doing it? Darcy and Darcy were! Tune in to learn what Detroit is doing and what we can all learn.

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We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

This week Dan Nelson retired Executive Director of the San Luis-Delta Mendota Water Authority (Authority) joins Darcy and Darcy. Dan shares the history of the Authority’s predecessor organization, the events that led to the Authority’s creation, key operation and water management milestones, and the best lesson he learned. The coolest part of the interview from Darcy B’s perspective was that Dan worked with Darcy V.’s grandfather, the water legend himself, C.W. “Bill” Jones Sr. who is known for bringing water deliveries to agriculture and for whom the Jones Pumping Plant is named. Dan shares what Bill Sr. was like, what type of leader he was, and key insights that Darcy V. surely will take to heart. Curious as to what the key takeaway from today’s episode might be? Dan Nelson is a leader whose experience and lessons are just as applicable today, as they were when the Authority started. And that leadership transcends water and agriculture. Take a moment and listen in

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We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Darcy V is harvesting tomatoes so that means, Darcy B. is leading this discussion, and what a discussion it is! Darcy welcomes Geoffrey Vanden Heuvel, the Director of Regulatory and Economic Affairs for the Milk Producers Council, a California dairy farmer trade association. Geoff is currently the Vice-Chairman of the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley Board. Geoff joins Darcy B in the studio where they discuss the urgent Fall X 2 Action.

The Fall X2 Action (Technically it addresses salinity intrusion in the Bay Delta), as currently mandated, results in significant water supply reductions that provide water for the San Joaquin Valley’s agricultural industry, rural communities, including disadvantaged communities, Southern California cities, families, industry, and economies, as well as critical habitat in both federal and private wildlife refuges. This regulation has flexibility, if the APPOINTED decision-makers agree, the 350,000 AF of stored water (enough for 1,050,000 Southern California Families) we can keep this water in storage. We can save for the next dry period. Saving for Sunny Days!

Recent scientific studies done by the National Fish and Wildlife Agency and others indicate this effort will not, and does not, help the Delta Smelt, as originally intended. In other words, sound science is NOT driving this decision. You can help. Click on the links below and email these appointed decision-makers. Let them know, that saving California water for our communities, our food supply, and all of California is our top priority:

· California Natural Resources Agency Secretary, Wade Crowfoot, Wade.Crowfoot@resources.ca.gov

· California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director, Charlton (Chuck) Bonham, chuck.bonham@wildlife.ca.gov

· California Department of Water Resources Director, Karla Nemeth, Karla.Nemeth@water.ca.gov

· US Bureau of Reclamation Director, Karl Stock, KStock@usbr.gov

· Governor Gavin Newsom, (have to use contact form) https://www.gov.ca.gov/contact/

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We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.