farmland Archives - SJV Water

As companies buy up more valley farmland, the wells get deeper, according to new study

March 4, 2024

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

Private companies have been snatching up more and more farmland and drilling deeper wells, according to new research. A newly published study looked at data from 2003-2017 and showed a drastic increase in limited liability companies (LLCs) buying up farmland throughout the state. It also looked at well drilling in the San Joaquin Valley specifically…

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Water continues to be a driving force in Kern ag land values – and not in a good way

January 24, 2024

• by Lois Henry

The latest report on agricultural land valuations in Kern County shows water security continues to be a driving force and the direction is mostly downward. Alliance Ag Services LLC, a brokerage and appraisal firm, has been tracking the value of farmland in Kern County by water source, or sources, for nearly two decades. For about…

SGMA

State not ponying up enough $$ for farmland retirement, critics say

September 29, 2022

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

Though $40 million was added to the state’s farmland retirement pot, some worry it won’t be nearly enough. Gov. Gavin Newsom authorized the funding Tuesday night to be added to the state’s new Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program. The program, initially funded with $50 million in 2021, pays for farmland to be taken out of production…

SGMA

Will $10 million “make a dent” in Tulare County groundwater use?

July 7, 2022

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

Three San Joaquin Valley water agencies are gearing up to spend $10 million each in grant funding they received from the state Department of Conservation to retire or repurpose farmland. Valley agencies that received grants so far include the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District, Pixley Irrigation District Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) and Madera County. SJV…

Groundwater

Deadline to apply for $50M to retire farmland coming up April 1

March 15, 2022

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

The state has $50 million to spend to retire farmland, which it intends to give out as block grants to local agencies, tribes and nonprofits in the San Joaquin Valley. But there are strings attached to the money. The groups that receive the block grants will have to work directly with farmers and community members…

Groundwater • SGMA

Gov.’s proposed $40 million for farmland retirement is welcome but more needed

February 3, 2022

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

More money could be coming to California’s new farmland repurposing program. But it’s still just a drop in the bucket, according experts. In his budget summary for 2022-2023, Governor Newsom proposed an additional $40 million for the Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program, a program approved last year to pay farmers incentives for taking irrigated land out…

SGMA

Bill aimed at repurposing farmland is a step closer to passing

August 20, 2021

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water reporting intern

Lawmakers may be close to passing a bill aimed at helping farmers cope with water restrictions. Assembly Bill 252, the Multibenefit Land Repurposing Incentive Program, would set up a program under the California Department of Conservation to use grant money for repurposing former ag land in critically over drafted groundwater basins. The bill was authored…

NEWS

As companies buy up more valley farmland, the wells get deeper, according to new study

Water continues to be a driving force in Kern ag land values – and not in a good way

State not ponying up enough $$ for farmland retirement, critics say

Will $10 million “make a dent” in Tulare County groundwater use?

Deadline to apply for $50M to retire farmland coming up April 1

Gov.’s proposed $40 million for farmland retirement is welcome but more needed

Bill aimed at repurposing farmland is a step closer to passing

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