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We Grow California — Government
We Grow California

We chat to people in the water industry to find out the latest news

Copyright: © 2026 We Grow California

Latest Episodes:

Self-Help Revitalizes Rural Communities Jun 26, 2024

Show notes

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!

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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.

A Water Blueprint Jun 12, 2024

Show notes

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.

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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.

The Wonders of Recharge Jun 05, 2024

Show notes

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.

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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.

Same Infrastructure, New Uses May 30, 2024

Show notes

Darcy and Darcy welcome back Steve Chedester, Director of Policy and Programs at the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority (Exchange Contractors). Steve shares some innovative infrastructure news that for us Water Nerds, is super exciting! The Exchange Contractors partnered with the San Luis Water District and the Grasslands Water District for the Los Banos Creek Detention Dam Reservoir Re-Regulation Project. (That was a mouthful!) This reservoir was once only used for the Central Valley Project Flood Control and now, through strategic improvements and re-purposing of existing infrastructure, yields new water reliability for the partners. The Project was made possible through Federal funding opportunities championed by Congressmen Costa and Duarte.

Steve also provides an update on the San Joaquin River Restoration Project. You guessed it! It’s been 15 years and not a lot of infrastructure progress yet, the price tag for the project continues to go up. A needed project without a viable funding source is problematic and additional funding is necessary to move forward.

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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.

Moving at the Speed of Trust May 22, 2024

Show notes

Darcy and Darcy are discussing some pretty incredible milestone events this week. First, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California entered into two Memorandums of Understanding. The first with Friant Water Authority and Westland Water District and the second with the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint. These non-binding agreements open the door to explore mutual beneficial groundwater storage projects as well as other water reliability efforts. Urban and Ag are working together to solve big issues, and some said it would never happen! It all starts with trust.

Speaking of trust, Darcy B also shares some results from a recent Public Trust focus group study. Spoiler alert – it’s not good. And the Darcys heard from you regarding their out-of-the-box water infrastructure funding ideas, more on that conversation to come.

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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.

Is Safe Drinking Water Now Unaffordable? Apr 24, 2024

Show notes

Darcy and Darcy are back in the studio this week and tackle water affordability. With the USEPA finalizing the PFOS Maximum Contaminant Level at 4 PPT (Parts per trillion), California setting the Hexavalent Chromium 6) level at 10 PPB (Parts per billion), lead service line replacement costs, lower Arsenic standards coming, revised Lithium standards on the horizon, and microplastics regulations looming, how will Californians and Americans afford safe drinking water? Darcy B. shares the impacts of the costs of these treatment options including capital investments, operations, and disposal and what that might look like on your monthly water bill; let’s just say it’s not pretty. The Darcys discuss possibilities on other ways to cover costs, including some crazy tourism tax ideas, and hope you, our listeners, might have some answers. 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.

Moonshot Apr 03, 2024

Show notes

Darcy and Darcy welcome George Hawkins, founder and CEO of Moonshot Missions, a non-profit organization dedicated to clean and healthy water and waterways in underserved communities. Prior to starting Moonshot Missions, George was the General Manager of DC Water, where he served for eleven years, including several as a Board member. Darcy and Darcy discuss how Moonshot helps disadvantaged communities and tribal water and wastewater systems across the country, how they are funded, what makes them different, and how they might be able to help your community. 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.

It’s a Grape Day in Temecula! Mar 27, 2024

Show notes

This week JD Harkey, CEO of Drake Enterprises and Vice President of Rancho California Water District, joins Darcy and Darcy. JD farms and manages over 450 acres of wine grapes, avocados, citrus, and olives in the greater Temecula Valley. Elected to the Rancho California Water District Board of Directors in November of 2022, JD shares his challenges regarding the cost of water to Southern California AG and the direct impacts rising rates have on local family farmers, the community, as well as to the $2 billion local economy. Darcy V. and JD compare farming notes, they all join in some common water talk, and overall, it’s a Grape Day in Temecula.

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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.

"How Ya' Doin"? Mar 21, 2024

Show notes

Darcy and Darcy are all alone this week discussing everything water and AG. From potential So Cal Water rate increases, Climate Adaptation Management Planning, tomato planting, and pricing, to allocations. These two have been busy this last week, joining the conversations locally and at the state level, farming, and doing what they do. If you make this one to the end, the Darcy’s have instructions on how to get a very special “gold star.” 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.

Senator Anna Caballero Talks Water & Ag! Mar 13, 2024

Show notes

Senator Anna Caballero, who represents Senate District 14 which includes Merced, Madera, and Fresno Counties, joins Darcy and Darcy this week. The Senator discusses Darcy B’s favorite bill this session, SB 366, rural California, water infrastructure, and the importance of Agriculture is to California’s economy, and to National Security. The Senator shares some of her frustration at the Capitol, the benefits of the Rural Caucus, getting out into her district, and making a difference. 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.

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