We Grow California
We chat to people in the water industry to find out the latest news
Water’s Movers & Shakers with Meena Westford, San Diego County Water Authority
California’s water challenges are getting tougher; they are not just complicated, but more complex. If your water agency is going “with the flow,” you are most likely headed for very turbulent water ahead. Even Darcy V’s small community water system is embarking on its first metered water rate study. They know they can’t continue doing business the way they always have and expect different outcomes. The reality is that today’s water challenges require innovative solutions, courage, and relationships—not just thinking outside the box, but literally blowing the box up. This week’s guest, Meena Westford, Director of Importe...
We’re Back & We Missed You
Darcy and Darcy are back – finally – from their unplanned sabbatical! Darcy V has been doing what farmers do: farming and solving major problems in the field. He’s also been coaching Tee Ball and busy with life. Darcy B has been doing what she does best – influencing water policy at all levels, preaching water quality and public health—and is super excited to bring Darcy V, and you, up to speed. This episode will give you the California water updates you need including big changes at the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), Friant Water Authority, infrastructure projects, and everyone’s l...
Westlands Solar Project is More than Energy Generation, It’s Thrivability with Allison Febbo and Patrick Mealoy
Darcy and Darcy welcome back Westlands General Manager Allison Febbo to discuss their Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan. Joining them is Westlands' solar/energy partner, Patrick Mealoy from Golden State Clean Energy. Darcy V, a Westlands grower, shares that he is excited about this project. Darcy B. takes a little more time to warm up to what she thinks is just another mega solar install, but she quickly learns that it's not at all! And although when fully operational, it is estimated 136,000 acres will be producing solar energy or providing battery back-up, it's not about energy; this is about taking a...
2026 Just Started and It’s Already A LOT – with Chris White!
Chris White, Executive Director of the San Joaquin River Water Authority Exchange Contractors, joins Darcy Villere in the studio and kicks off 2026 with A LOT of information. There are changes on how the Central Valley Project and State Water Projects are operating and Chris does his best to break it down for Darcy refreshes his memory and making sense out of all the moving parts – water being just one of them.
Get comfortable and listen closely because the Bureau of Reclamation released major changes to Central Valley Project (CVP) operations including the removal of the Fall...
A conversation with Chairman of the State Water Resources Control Board, Joaquin Esquivel
In this episode of We Grow California, Darcy Villere sits down with Joaquin Esquivel, Chair of the State Water Resources Control Board, to talk about the future of California water. The episode covers how the Board balances the competing needs of agriculture, communities, and the environment during an era of droughts, floods, and climate uncertainty. Joaquin shares insights on SGMA enforcement, groundwater recharge, and the state’s push to ensure safe, clean drinking water for all Californians. His perspective offers a clear look at the challenges ahead and the opportunities for collaboration across the state.
Le...
CA State Treasurer Fiona Ma – California’s Banker
After a few weeks of hiatus, California State Treasurer Fiona Ma joined Darcy & Darcy for an in-depth discussion on water, ag, infrastructure financing, and public service. If you don’t know what the state treasurer does, think of this position as the state’s primary banker. Treasurer Ma’s office processes more than $3 trillion in payments within a typical year and provides transparency and oversight for an investment portfolio of more than $124 billion, approximately $34.8 billion of which are local government funds.
Ma has been a strong advocate for California’s agricultural sector and has worked on various initiativ...
Senator Caballero - Fighting for Water Reliability and Winning with SB 72
Darcy & Darcy welcomed California State Senator Anna Caballero, representing District 14, which stretches across parts of Madera, Merced and Fresno counties. Last year, Senator Caballero joined us and shared with us her efforts on SB 366, a bill that was intended to modernize the California Water Plan and mandated that the Department of Water Resources to set long-term water supply targets.SB366 died in committee, leaving many in the water sector wondering if the water plan would ever have any accountability.
The Senator’s back with the Darcys to talk about SB 72, which was just newly signed int...
“We’re Fine,” Is a Terrible Cybersecurity Answer, with Dr. Kevin Morley and Director Frank Ury
With growing frequency, water systems, cities, and other water utilities have been held for ransom as a direct result of a cybersecurity attack. These attacks can hold a system hostage for millions of dollars, jeopardizing customer data as well as water and wastewater operations; ultimately impacting public health and safety. Many systems have recently discovered that insurance is no longer covering the bill. For policymakers, believing “We’re fine” is not only naive but also dangerous and can be extremely expensive.
This week, Darcy Villere and Darcy Burke welcomed American Water Works Association’s in-house cybersecuri...
A Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Win with David Cory
Agriculture scored a win recently when the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California’s ruling that the Clean Water Act’s exemption for “irrigated agriculture return flows” shields projects like the Grassland Bypass Project (GBP) from federal National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements.
At the heart of the issue is David Cory, President of the Grasslands Basin Authority. This week David joins Darcy and Darcy and shares the history of the GBP, the related San Joaquin River Water Quality Improvement Project (SJRIP), the eleven-year litigati...
San Joaquin River Restoration Project At Last with Steve Chedester
One of Darcy Villere’s favorite projects is the long-awaited San Joaquin River Restoration Project. And after 16 years, there is some good news! This week Steve Chedester, Director of Policy and Programs for the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority, joins Darcy V. and Darcy B. He provides a great project overview, the benefits, new funding, and of course, the ever-important new project price tag.
This is a multi-faceted project, with lots of complexities (Of course, there are – it’s a California water project!) and stakeholders. For more information about the San Joaquin River Restora...
Lean into your Local Farmer with Western United Dairies Anja Raudabaugh CEO
Anja Raudabaugh, Chief Executive Officer of Western United Dairies joins Darcy and Darcy this week and shares how she led the effort to defeat Sonoma Ballot Proposition Measure J
a citizen-led initiative which would have banned dairy as well as similar farming operations. The ballot initiative was defeated with 85% of voters, NOT supporting the proposition. Anja was able to get the Republican Party of Sonoma County, but also the Democratic Party of Sonoma County AND the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board to oppose the measure? How? That’s what the Darcy’s wanted to know! To f...
Keeping It Simple with Jarrett Martin of Central California Irrigation District
The K.I.S.S. method, Keep it Simple (Sweetheart), is easier said than done. This is especially true when you are coordinating 23 Groundwater Sustainability Agencies and their respective plans and consultants into one Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Yes, you read that right, twenty+ agencies!
Jarrett Martin, General Manager of Central California Irrigation District (CCID), took on that task for the Delta-Mendota Subbasin and believes that after two failed attempts they are close to approval. Darcy Villere and Darcy Burke have been waiting to have Jarrett on for quite some time and were eager to learn how he...
Assemblyman David Tangipa – Applying Common Sense to California’s Problems
Assemblyman David Tangipa joins Darcy and Darcy for a great conversation that covers a wide range of California issues and topics! For those that don’t know him yet, David is the youngest person serving in the California legislature. He was elected to the California State Assembly in 2024 and represents District 8, which includes Calaveras, Fresno, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, and Tuolumne counties. Darcy & Darcy discuss with David his perspective on the business of California’s legislature, his first six months in office, some great ideas he has about putting existing infrastructure to work doing double duty, the impact the Groun...
Karla Nemeth, Director of the California Department of Water Resources, Leading, Learning & Adapting
Karla Nemeth, Director of the California Department of Water Resources, a verifiable Woman of Water – aka a WOW - joins Darcy and Darcy this week and the conversation never stops! Karla shares her experiences and how relationships are the key to California’s water response success – especially in a crisis. She tells the Darcys how she has learned and adapted. Those lessons and adaptations came from weather uncertainty, regulations, legislation, and serving four (Yes FOUR!) Governors, each with their own Water and Delta plans. The complexity of her job grows daily, however, that has no...
Adán Ortega’s Call to Action on the Governor’s DCP Budget Trailer Package
Time is of the essence for the Delta Conveyance Plan (DCP) studies and to help us understand what’s going on and the urgency, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s Chairman Adán Ortega joined Darcy and Darcy. Recently Governor Newsome included the DCP as part of his Budget Trailer Package. Adán sets the record straight on how this legislation simply finishes the studies that are necessary so that decisions can be made with good data, rather than propaganda, misinformation, and wishful thinking. He stresses throughout the interview that this legislation is not a blank c...
Dan Keppen – A Seat At The Table
Darcy and Darcy are back from the Association of California Water Agencies’ (ACWA) Spring Conference! They had the pleasure of meeting Dan Keppen, the Executive Director at the Family Farm Alliance (Alliance). This week Dan joins them and discusses his upcoming retirement, his successes, challenges, and accomplishments.
After twenty years with the Alliance, and over thirty years in agriculture and water, Dan shares some advice and insights for our next generation leaders, as well as those that are leading now. The Alliance has members from all 16 western states and actively represents their ag water interests at the fed...
Catching Up with Darcy & Darcy
Did you miss them? Darcy B. has literally been traveling the world, and Darcy V. has been planting acres and acres of tomatoes. They are finally back in the studio and are catching up on everything that happened while Darcy B. was globe-trotting including the Central Valley Project (Federal) and the State Water Project allocations, Metropolitan’s new General Manager (Deven Upadhayay), Metropolitans Climate Adaptation Master Plan and Business Model, another Canyon Lake Fish Kill, future guests, and more.
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Thank you, Mr. Mayor
It’s March and newly elected officials have settled into their seats. At the state level, one third of all legislators are new. Locally, that percentage could be higher or lower. Regardless, newly elected officials rarely have an understanding about California’s water complexities nor the importance of Agriculture and its unique challenges.
To get a newly elected perspective, Darcy and Darcy welcome Canyon Lake Mayor, Mark Terry. Mayor Terry was appointed to City Council two years ago and then was elected to his first four-year term in November. The Mayor shares his perspective on the importance of wat...
Sarah Woolf - A Change Maker
Sarah Woolf, a California Ag and Water icon, joins Darcy and Darcy and discusses Water Wise - a water management company for farmers in the central San Joaquin Valley, the Change Coalition, the San Joaquin Blueprint, the San Joaquin Valley Water Collaborative Action Program, and family farming – just to name a few!
Sarah shares her perspective on California water and agriculture, how it has changed, and where it may be going over the next decade or two. What was clear, was there is so much more to talk about! Darcy & Darcy can’t wait to have her back...
Westlands Water Works Harder
Darcy and Darcy welcome back Westlands Water District's Assistant General Manager, Jose Gutierrez and for the first time, welcome Kitty Campbell, Supervisor of Resources. Westlands has been doing some innovative groundwater sustainability efforts and in this episode, Jose and Kitty talk about their Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Program. This program works with Westlands growers to use their existing wells and convert them to dual purpose, meaning they recharge the deep aquifer beneath Corcoran clay layer when surface water is available as well as pump when groundwater extraction is permitted. Growers receive groundwater credits for each acre foot of w...
Brave New World
Vivian Welsh, Founder and CEO of Vivians.io, a firm that develops Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions, joins Darcy and Darcy and discusses what AI is, how utilities or farmers use this technology, what guardrails (If any) are in place, and what’s been the biggest barrier to AI implementation. Vivian shares great success stories, answers tough questions, and provides wonderful tips for getting started. Young, old, or in-between, this is an episode you can’t miss. Join the conversation!
To reach Vivian directly, visit her website www.vivians.io/ or email her at Vivian@vivians.io
...Changing by the Second
It’s finally February, and true-to-form, January has been the longest year! Los Angeles fires were and still are devastating. On the bright side, water, particularly, California Water, has been front and center. Darcy V. and Darcy B. discuss how the information is evolving, and in some cases, literally changing by the second! They also emphasize the importance of educating electeds at all levels on how California’s state, federal, and local water systems work, what they are actually capable of, (Please note that putting out a wildfire is not one of them), and what we need. (Spoile...
Is your water safe to drink after a wildfire?
With Los Angeles and the surrounding areas still ablaze, the media is capitalizing with headlines like Washington Post’s recent article, “L.A. fires may have brought cancer-causing chemicals into drinking water.” Causing further concern are the various public health water notices including Do Not Drink and Do Not Boil. Ultimately, people want to know, is their water safe to drink after a wildfire? What are local water systems doing to ensure the water is safe, and how are these efforts protecting public health?
Darcy B. is solo this week and was extr...
It's Carry-Over Season
First, Darcy and Darcy send their concern and sympathy for those impacted by the horrific southern California fires. We hope you're safe, and the fires are extinguished soon.
To start 2025 off, Mitch Partovi, a water broker from The Water Agency, is back! Mitch joins Darcy and Darcy and discusses California’s current water supply, what activities are going on in California’s water market, and what might be expected. As our listeners have learned, the federal, or Central Valley Project, operates differently than the State Water Project. Farmers are deciding now whether to carry over their w...
Post-Election Palate Cleanser
Darcy B. and Darcy V. thought you could use a little refresh from all the election advertising, conversation, and in some instances, drama. Just in time for the biggest food holiday of the year, Darcy V. and Darcy B. go over some fun Thanksgiving Dinner food facts. Darcy V. has been waiting to do this episode for over a year! The Darcys share where the most popular holiday food comes from, how much in total receipts each item generates, and a multitude of other fun foodie facts! You’ll be the hit of the party with this information! Spoiler alert...
Great Expectations
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. Chan...
And the Golden Trophy Goes to....
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...
Is it going to be wet or dry? Yes!
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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Leader of the Pack (Vroom! Vroom!)
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...
Do You “Water Right?”
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...
Making Water Affordable IS a Public Health Service
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 Det...
Collaboration was the best lesson I learned
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...
CALL TO ACTION - FALL X2
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 sup...
There’s water and then there’s everything else
This week Ryan Jacobson, Chief Executive Officer of Fresno Farm Bureau joins Darcy and Darcy for an interesting conversation on what a Farm Bureau is, what it does, and how they work. Ryan discusses that over the last ten years, a lot of what he does can be summed up in these words, “There’s water ... and then there’s everything else.” Ryan shares how he serves a wide range of interests, needs, and communities. Water-speak, as we all know, is a challenge. Ryan also serves as President of Fresno Irrigation District, which gives him a definite advantage.
Farm Bur...
King’s County Farm Bureau =1, State Water Board =0
This week, Darcy B. is flying solo while Darcy V. is out of town. Left to her own devices, Darcy welcomed into the studio Dusty Ference, the Executive Director of the King’s County Farm Bureau. Recently, Dusty and the King’s County Farm Bureau made headlines when they successfully were issued a temporary restraining order against the State Water Resources Control Board. This order prevents the State Board from putting the Tulare Lake Groundwater Subbasin on SGMA Probation. The restraining order remains in effect until Tuesday, August 20, 2024, when the judge will consider issuing a temporary injunction. To put it in ba...
Water Bond or Water Bust?
It’s Darcy and Darcy this week and they have plenty to talk about. First, they share information about a Central Valley event hosted by The California Water Alliance (4th Annual Water Forum) that is being held on August 7th. This event was encouraging to both Darcys as it appears to be a non-partisan, forward thinking, solution focused event. Check it out for yourself here.
What really got the conversation going was Darcy B’s sentiments on the current proposed “Water Bond.” Listed on this fall’s ballot as Proposition 4, it is entitled, “The Safe Drinking Water, W...
From Showers to Flowers to Now, Pizza & Beer!
For over a decade now, Direct Potable ReUse (DPR) has been referred to as “Showers to Flowers.” Darcy and Darcy welcome back Las Virgenes General Manager and President of Water ReUse California, Dave Pedersen to talk about DPR’s next level – Pizza & Beer!
If you recall from our December 29th episode, Darcy V wanted to try the DPR Pale Ale Beer that a local microbrewery Lady Face Mountain crafted exclusively for Dave’s project. Dave got it to Darcy B., and she got it to the great Central Valley for Darcy’s enjoyment. Listen in to hear Darcy V...
“What the Heck is the Chevron Deference?” with Paul Minasian
Paul Minasian, long-practicing California water rights attorney, is back! Paul joins Darcy and Darcy in the studio to explain the Supreme Court of the United States’ (SCOTUS)overturning of what was known as the Chevron doctrine. Darcy and Darcy ask Paul about the impacts this ruling may have on Federal (and State) Water Project Operations, water projects, timing impacts, and more. Spoiler Alert! The United States Constitution plays a key role moving forward! Imagine that! Listen in!
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At Westlands, Growers Get It Done
Allison Febbo, General Manager of Westlands Water District joins Darcy and Darcy this week for a long-awaited recharge, culture change, and water supply reliability (or is that unreliable water supply ?!) conversation. Allison has been in water for over two decades and served a wide variety of leadership roles however has only been at the helm of Westlands for about a year. In that short of time she has gotten Westland's Groundwater Sustainability Plan approved, forged new partnerships (Including an historical one with Metropolitan), and worked with growers to recharge almost 400,000-acre-feet. That’s almost half the capacity of...
Summer Fruit Salad & Sunscreen
It’s Fourth of July week and it’s the perfect time for Darcy and Darcy to share the top produce grown in California and pretty much – you guessed it - your entire summer fruit salad is provided by your friendly California Farmer! And with California's Central Valley temperatures inching up past 110 for over a week, Darcy V shares his strategies on crop “sunscreen.” Darcy B discusses hazardous algae, another fun summer topic, and a special shout out to the farmer that sent Darcy B. her favorite cantaloupes just in time for America’s birthday party.
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