We Grow California

Justin Wallin, a recognized expert in accurately measuring public opinion, forecasting outcomes, and identifying the most effective ways to influence thoughts and behaviors joins Darcy and Darcy this week and discusses a recent California voter poll. Justin covers questions he asked in the field including ocean desalination and water recycling investments, the importance of food to National Securi...

Dominic Dimare, Partner from ARC Strategies, a full-service legislative advocacy firm, joins Darcy and Darcy in the studio this week.  The discussion includes California’s legislature, how bills become laws, the enormous amount of legislation proposed, ongoing challenges, and an update on Darcy B’s favorite piece of legislation this session, Senator Anna Caballero’s SB 366.  Darcy and Darcy are ju...

Mitch Partovi, a water broker from The Water Agency, joins Darcy and Darcy in the studio and discusses California’s Water market, how it works, the regulatory oversight, the benefits, and related value.  Darcy and Darcy ask some tough questions including monetization of water, the growing groundwater market considering the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, and who benefits.   Send us Fan Mai...

It’s February 2024 and the atmospheric rivers are upon us! Chris White, Executive Director of the San Joaquin River Water Authority Exchange Contractors joins Darcy and Darcy in the studio and discusses the current atmospheric river conditions, California reservoir management, and a preview of the ECPAC member meeting presentation on February 28th.  To reserve your spot at the meeting, visit us on...

Bees play a critical role in California Agriculture.  Gene Brandi, longtime west coast beekeeper, industry spokesman, ambassador, subject matter expert, advocate, and industry leader joins Darcy and Darcy in the studio for a “buzzworthy” conversation.  They discuss the impacts water cutbacks have had on bees and the bee profession, including fallowing and land retirement.  Gene shares the work Cal...

Las Virgenes General Manager and President of Water ReUse California, Dave Pedersen joins Darcy and Darcy for a frank and raw discussion on direct potable reuse (DPR). In late December, the State Water Resources Control Board approved DPR regulations; these regs will govern water agencies looking to use their wastewater as a new drinking water resource. DPR takes advanced recycled water and treats...

State Water Project (SWP) Contractors’ General Manager Jennifer Pierre joins Darcy and Darcy this week and Boy!  Did they have a lot to talk about!  Jennifer discusses the Governor’s proposal for the Water Quality Control Plan update, the State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB) staff proposal which would have huge water costs across the state (2-Million-Acre-Feet of water lost to cities and...

Assembly Ag Committee Chair Esmeralda Sora joins Darcy and Darcy this week and shares her own frustrations with getting things done, the importance of water and ag to California and the nation, how she is working to bridge the gap between urban and ag policy makers, and her hopes on how we can and must do better.   Let us know what you’re thinking! You can provide your comments, suggestions, quest...

Cannon Michael, the Chairman of the San Luis Delta and Mendota Water Authority, joins Darcy and Darcy this week and shares how they were able to secure the raising of the San Luis Reservoir Dam by 10 feet - creating an additional 130,000 acre feet of storage. Listen in and find out how they were able to pull this off, the estimated cost, their project partners, and the always challenging and usual...

Darcy and Darcy welcome Paul and Jackson Minasian of Minasian Law Firm.  Founded in 1841 by Paul’s grandparents, the Minasian Law Firm, located in Oroville California, specializes in California Water Rights.  Paul walks Darcy and Darcy through California water rights history, the most basic types of water rights ,and provides a great foundation for our hosts and listeners.  What Darcy and Darcy kn...

This week, Darcy and Darcy were out in the wild! Darcy B shares her adventures on the Drought or Missed Opportunities Panel at the 15th Orange County Water Summit, where her name was mentioned as California’s Water Czar candidate! Not to be outdone, Darcy V. shares his experience at the Association of California Water Agencies Region 6 & 7’s San Joaquin Valley Forum on Groundwater.  With the T...

This week, Darcy and Darcy celebrate the new water year by welcoming back Chris White, Executive Director of the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Authority.  Chris is an engineer, water manager, and exceptional historian. Darcy & Darcy asked Chris how we did in water-year 2022-2023, what storage looks like, what we could have done better, and how 2023-24 looks.  When they asked Chris if...

This week, Darcy and Darcy welcome Ric Ortega, General Manager of Grasslands Water District. Grasslands is dedicated to the protection and delivery of water to the Grassland Resource Conservation District’s 75,000 acres of private, state, and federal wildlife refuges . Habitat served by the district is recognized as a Wetland of International Importance under the RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands and...

Darcy and Darcy welcome Mike Wade, Executive Director of the California Food and Water Coalition (CFCW). CFWC is a non-profit, educational organization formed in 1989, providing fact-based information on farm water issues to the public. The organization works to help consumers, elected representatives, government officials and the media connect California water and our food supply. Mike shares wit...

Darcy and Darcy are on opposite sides once again!  This time they take their respective stands on the State Water Resources Control Board’s staff recommendations to make Conservation a Way of Life for all Californians, regardless of water supply or availability. This new effort will put all Urban water agencies on a budget determined by SWRCB staff.   Darcy and Darcy discuss whether these efforts...

California can do better!  As promised, Darcy and Darcy are very excited to welcome into the studio, Congressman John Duarte.  Congressman Duarte is serving his first term in the 118th Congress as Representative of California’s 13th District. Congressman Duarte shares his thoughts on California water management – or lack thereof, the federal Water for California Bill, and the importance – both to...

 Darcy and Darcy welcome Steve Chedester, the Director of Policy and Programs for the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority into the We Grow California Studios. Steve has been with the Exchange Contractors for 28 years and provides a great background and status report on the San Joaquin River Restoration Project. After litigation, settlements, and decades of planning, this project...

Darcy and Darcy welcome California State Senator Kelly Seyarto, who represents the 32nd District.  Last year, Senator Seyarto toured the Central Valley, met with farmers, and learned about their operations, challenges, and innovation.  Darcy and Darcy find out how that trip changed his ag and water policy perspectives, if at all, and hear firsthand about the Sacramento battleground. Send us Fan Ma...

What the heck is it and where did it come from? – For quite some time Darcy B has brought up PFAS on a few different episodes. Darcy V wanted to learn more, so he takes the lead and interviews Darcy B on the PFAS family, its concentration in everyday items, its impact, the cost, and why it is important. Send us Fan Mail We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC...

Lots has happened over the last few months, including feedback from you!  Darcy and Darcy are back in the studio answering your questions and discussing your comments. Tune-in and see what these two have been up to and what they have to say.   Send us Fan Mail We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by...

In this episode, Mike Montna, the Tomato Growers Association’s (CTGA) President and Chief Executive Officer joins Darcy and Darcy. Formed in 1947, the CTGA is involved in every phase of the state’s processing tomato industry.  Mike shares some insight on tomato products, production, water supply impacts on tomato-growing families, and what this year’s production might look like.  If you love tomat...

Darcy and Darcy welcome Greg Pruett, Ingomar Packing company’s ’s Sales and Energy Manager.  Ingomar and piloted a condensate water capture project.  Working with Botanica Water Technologies, Ingomar’s pilot program produced enough drinking water for 34 California households.  Listen in and learn more about this innovative program and its potential!   Send us Fan Mail We Grow California Podcast is...

Join Darcy and Darcy as they welcome Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s new Chairman of the Board, Adán Ortega.  Serving as the first Latino Chairman, the first Chairman representing the City of San Fernando, and the first former Metropolitan Water District employee to serve as Chairman, it appears Adán has been preparing for this role his entire life.  With a once divided board,...

Believe it or not! Instead of Darcy versus Darcy, or DvD, in this We Grow California episode, “The Darcys” are on the same side. Darcy and Darcy discuss the land fallowing benefits including incentives, community impacts, and the bottom line.  If you farm, eat, or are concerned about California AG, fallowing is part of today’s water management conversation.  The questions that need to be answered...

For decades now, Almond Growers have been labeled California’s “bad guys.”  Meet Aubrey Bettencourt, President, and CEO of the Almond Alliance of California. In just over a year, Aubrey has successfully addressed supply chain challenges, land fallowing options, and more.  Listen in as Darcy and Darcy welcome Aubrey into the studio. Send us Fan Mail We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exc...