Adapting to a New Era of Groundwater Management in the San Joaquin Valley: A Dairyman’s Story

 

Dairyman Frank Fernandes, who runs Legacy Ranches in Tulare County, is being confronted like so many dairymen and growers with the challenges of increasing water scarcity due to evolving water regulations and a changing climate. As the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) continues to be implemented to help protect groundwater resources for the long term, Frank Fernandes shares his thoughts on using better farm practices to adapt to the new realities that so many Valley farmers face. Frank sees that the Tule Subbasin’s Multi-benefit Land Repurposing Program (MLRP), voluntary for growers, can support them in continuing to farm in many cases or transitioning to other less water-intensive land uses. Despite the hurdles, he remains hopeful that farmers can continue to farm profitably while adapting to the challenges of a changing landscape.

As a third-generation farmer, producing enough feed in the form of forage crops like winter wheat and corn for his dairy cows while continuing to reduce water usage remains a priority for Frank. “We’ve been practicing water conservation long before SGMA,” he explains. Central to his strategy in reducing water use is regenerative farming practices to build soil health and use water effectively. One useful practice is “double cropping,” which starts with a forage crop such as winter wheat planted in the winter, followed by a second crop, like corn, that is put in the ground soon after the first crop is harvested with minimal tillage. “This is the beauty of low-tillage farming,” says Frank, which shortens the interval between plantings, allowing farmers to retain soil moisture and plant earlier in the year before the peak summer heat, reducing the demand for groundwater. In contrast, conventional farming usually entails disking fields between crops, which results in waiting 2-3 weeks before the next crop can be put in the ground and losing soil moisture between plantings.

Besides implementing practices that require less water, Frank has also been able to recycle water through a return system that allows him to capture and reuse runoff water. Fast, frequent, high-volume shots of water irrigate his fields enough to reach plants’ roots, allowing for some percolation but not enough to sink too deeply into the ground. Any excess water that runs off is then captured by ponds located at the edges of the field by taking advantage of the field’s natural incline. Implementing these regenerative ag practices has allowed Frank to “basically just plant and let Mother Earth take its course,” he says. One of the unexpected benefits is the changes these practices have had on his soil. The health of his soil has skyrocketed in the last decade, now acting akin to a sponge and retaining more moisture. Still, he often has to rely on groundwater and is contemplating drip tape irrigation, especially for periods of extended heat when other irrigation methods may not suffice.

Rising water costs and stringent drought restrictions have pushed many farmers like Frank to wrack their brains in trying to adapt to the challenges. Leasing the land for large-scale solar projects doesn’t appeal to him–farming is what he knows and loves, and he is committed to preserving the land’s sustainability as a farm. The looming probationary hearings in September that will determine whether to designate the Tule Subbasin–where his 3,000-cow dairy farm is located–as a probationary basin under SGMA could also dramatically alter his approach to water management. “There are a lot of unknowns,” he says, expressing concern about his ability to farm in the future if new water restrictions or cost increases are implemented.

Frank also sits as the president of the Tule Basin Land & Water Conservation Trust, which now owns Capinero Creek. They are working on a Capinero Creek Project to protect threatened and endangered species and contribute to the viability of groundwater in the Southern San Joaquin Valley. The Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program offers funding for these types of projects, aiming at reducing groundwater use while contributing to the well-being of the economy, the environment, and surrounding communities. Frank has explored different sources of funding but has found that many state and federal grants often come with too many strings attached to make changes worth the effort. The MLRP initiative, however, provides farmers with the financial and technical support needed to repurpose land, adopt sustainable practices – like temporary fallowing -, and decrease groundwater demand.

Even though the reality of the situation for farmers in the Basin can feel dire, Frank still believes that “the problem is solvable.” He is finding that in talking with farmers as well as those with different perspectives and ideas, including conservation groups and ag and water experts, for how to solve these complex problems, he is uncovering new insights and opportunities to keep farming. Through programs like the MLRP and other ag grant programs and by adopting regenerative agricultural practices, Frank is hopeful that the legacy of farming in the San Joaquin Valley can continue for generations.