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, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024.” In Darcy’s B opinion, there is very little funding, if any, for safe drinking water. Darcy V weighs in on propositions in general, but you’ll have to listen in to find out his thoughts on this one. Is this a Darcy versus Darcy or is it a Darcy and Darcy? Ultimately, the question goes to you, our listeners, is this a water bond or a water bust? Join the conversation!

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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.

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.’s candid review and then learn about Dave’s unique community engagement efforts that involve pizza, beer, gelato, and shaved ice – all made with DPR water!

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.

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!

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.

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 Diamond Valley Lake reservoir people!

In this episode there’s lots of great questions, interesting water conversation, and as usual, Darcy and Darcy learn new things. We hope you do too.

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 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.

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 Darcy and Darcy have some good news to share when they welcome Eddie Ocampo, Director of Community Sustainability with Self-Help Enterprises, a nationally recognized community development organization. Eddie and Self Help work with communities to build resiliency through housing, water reliability, waste-water services, and community development. They work collaboratively with other technical assistance organizations, funding entities, as well as state and federal agencies. Darcy and Darcy learn how Self-Help got started, and some of the projects Eddie is most proud of. They learned that when Central Valley California communities’ have big problems – like the well has run dry - better than “I gotta guy,” call Eddie and Self Help. Listen in!

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.

Jason Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Friant Water Authority, and Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Board Member joins Darcy and Darcy this week for an interesting and thought-provoking conversation. Jason covers what the Blueprint is, who is part of it, why it is needed, new partnerships, and top priorities. He also explains how the Blueprint works with the Central Valley’s Groundwater Sustainability Agencies. Darcy and Darcy learn why Temperance Flats is not a priority project and you will too. They also learn the sobering statistic of what an annual 2-4 million-acre-foot water deficit looks like. Spoiler alert – it’s not sad, it’s devastating.

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.

Steve Chedester, Director of Policy and Programs at the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority (Exchange Contractors) is back for part two of local project investments, the Orestimba Creek Recharge and Recovery Project – say that three times fast! Steve shares information about a groundwater recharge project in the Del Puerto Water District’s service area. This project covers approximately 80 acres and has the capacity to store over 20,000-acre-feet of water, or for our urban listeners, that’s enough water for 60,000 people for one year! Located south of the Delta, and northeast of the San Luis Reservoir, this recharge project can be fed from the Delta Mendota Canal or from flood waters, when conditions exist.

For this effort, the Exchange Contractors partnered with Del Puerto Water District. Information on this and other Exchange Contractors projects can be found on their website.

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.