Tag Archives: Central Valley

New Guidance Released to Help California Growers Maximize Water Benefits of Cover Crops

May 6, 2025

Sustainable Conservation and the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), along with UC ANR and other partners, have released a new guidance document — Cover Cropping in California’s Water Scarce Environments — to help growers harness the many benefits of cool-season cover crops while reducing water use. As farmers adapt to a changing water supply, this guide provides practical considerations about cover crop species, timing, and management to reduce runoff, increase infiltration and water retention, and bolster overall soil health.

Ashley Boren Guest Op-Ed for the Sacramento Bee: “A resilient water future for the San Joaquin Valley is within reach. Here’s how”

July 15, 2024

Sustainable Conservation’s CEO Ashley Boren recently contributed a guest opinion column that has been published in the Sacramento, Modesto, and Fresno Bees as well as the Merced Sun-Star. The piece, titled “A resilient water future for the San Joaquin Valley is within reach. Here’s how”, emphasizes how 2023 was a banner year for groundwater recharge, yet there’s more we…

“Replenishing Groundwater in the San Joaquin Valley” PPIC Report Key Takeaways

June 27, 2024

Photo: Xavier Mascareñas / California Department of Water Resources This month, the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) released a report on groundwater recharge — the process of replenishing underground aquifers with surface water — in the San Joaquin Valley in 2023. The report offers a rare viewpoint, allowing us to see just how far…

A Soil Health Legacy: Recapping the 2024 Burroughs Family Farms Regenerative Almond Field Day

April 9, 2024

An almond harvester in the Burroughs Family Farms orchards in Stanislaus County A Soil Health Legacy On February 22nd, Burroughs Family Farms hosted their 3rd annual Regenerative Almond Field Day. Growers, community members, and other agriculture professionals converged on their orchards for a day of discussions, demonstrations, and community building. The bluebird Central Valley winter…

Park Farming Organics Receives 2023 CA Leopold Conservation Award

December 11, 2023

Photo: Paolo Vescia The votes have been tallied, and thanks to our esteemed panel of judges, we’re pleased to announce that this year’s California Leopold Conservation Award recipient is Park Farming Organics. Park Farming Organics’ owners, Brian and Jamie Park, and Scott and Ulla Park, were presented with the award during the California Farm Bureau…

2023 California Leopold Conservation Award Finalist Profile: Bowles Farming Company Inc.

November 17, 2023

Sustainable Conservation is proud to help coordinate the California Leopold Conservation Award (LCA,) now in its 18th year! Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their exemplary dedication to land, water, and wildlife habitat management on private, working lands. Since 2006, the award has recognized California…