We Grow California

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 Imported Water for the San Diego County Water Authority (The Authority) shares the inside scoop on new water transfer agreements with other Metropolitan Member Agencies, a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding that will allow interstate water transfers, and how customer messaging matters now more than ever. These new-ways-of-doing-business deals didn’t happen overnight; timing is everything. The right people are in the right places – smart, seasoned, and thinking differently to solve today’s problems without yesterday’s baggage; Meena is one of those people. Darcy & Darcy discuss litigation history, the Colorado River, and why these issues matter to all Californians, as well as those who benefit from what California produces. Listen in! Let us know what you’re thinking! You can provide comments, suggestions, questions, or recommendations at https://www.ecwaterpac.com/podcast/. Thanks for tuning 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 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 least favorite mussel – the Golden Mussel. Darcy and Darcy tried to cover all the bases and are glad to be back!  
 
Let us know what you’re thinking! You can provide comments, suggestions, questions, or recommendations at https://www.ecwaterpac.com/podcast/. Thanks for tuning 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 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 assets (farm land) that are losing value because of water unreliability and putting them to work, making them valuable, and providing Westlands growers, California agriculture, and farming communities an opportunity to thrive. The Darcys have always said California needs to invest in water infrastructure to improve its overall water reliability for all sectors: urban, ag, industrial/commercial, and the environment, and until that happens, this plan takes lemons and truly makes lemonade.  You have to hear the details, how it works, what the long-term plans are, and more. 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.

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 X2 requirement (if you don’t remember what that is, we had a whole episode called Call to Action Fall X2 and you can listen to that here) removal of the early Delta export-reduction (just reading that clears up any confusion, right?) and last and in no way least is a revision of the Old & Middle River flow criteria and Stormflex operations. Chris gives his perspective on the impact of these changes, and whether these federal changes impact the state operations.  If you drink water, use it to bathe, cook, or grow food, you don’t want to miss this episode!
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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 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.
Let us know what you’re thinking! You can provide comments, suggestions, questions, or recommendations at https://www.ecwaterpac.com/podcast/. Thanks for tuning 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.