Category: California Drought

Drip Irrigation Benefits Crop, Water and Habitat

Drip Irrigation Benefits Crops, Water and Habitat for California Farmer

Posted on August 3, 2017August 2, 2017 by torodriptips

During times of water scarcity, like California’s recent drought, it’s tempting to take on a binary view of the world. This was definitely the case with agriculture, which appeared to be at odds with everyone: farms vs. fish, farm vs. cities, farms vs. regulators. As a dominant water user in the state, they were easy targets.

But when one digs deeper, it’s obvious that many in the agricultural community want to move beyond this debate and do things differently. Yes growing food and fiber takes water, but there are plenty of farmers laser-focused on improving irrigation efficiency, maximizing multi-benefit solutions and striking a balance between growing crops and preserving the environment.

New Episode of The Water Zone Ag Podcast: Ag Irrigation in Post-Drought California

Posted on May 24, 2017October 17, 2017 by torodriptips

This Thursday, June 1st, at 6p.m. PST on The Water Zone Radio Show, tune in for an extra special Ag episode hosted by ag irrigation veterans, Inge Bisconer and Paul McFadden.

On this week’s episode of The Water Zone Ag, Inge and Paul host Secretary Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. They’ll explore water-use in post-drought California, and what ag irrigation in California looks like going forward.

Toro's Inge Bisconer to Speak during 2016 Drought Summit at Irrigation Show

Attend the 2016 Drought Summit during the Irrigation Show

Posted on November 29, 2016December 1, 2016 by torodriptips

While 2016 brought some relief to the Western drought, many areas are still experiencing historic water shortages, with no reprieve in sight. From the Colorado River to Lake Mead, water supplies are shrinking while demand increases, thus driving water users to look elsewhere for their water, in many cases underground.

Last year, the Irrigation Association hosted the first drought summit in conjunction with the 2015 Irrigation Show and Education Conference in Long Beach, California. We are excited to not only hold our second summit in Las Vegas, Nevada, but also partner with the National Ground Water Association for the 2016 Drought Summit.

Western Water Rights and Policy this Week on The Water Zone

Posted on May 2, 2016May 5, 2016 by torodriptips

This Thursday, May 5th, at 6p.m. PST on The Water Zone Radio Show, tune in for an extra special agriculture

New Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology connects Growers with Solutions

Posted on April 14, 2016April 14, 2016 by torodriptips

“In an era of diminishing natural and human resources and growing regulatory and marketplace demands, the future of agriculture depends on technology,” says Tom Nassif, president and chief executive officer for Western Growers Association (WGA), which is working to connect high technology and the soil through a facility based in America’s salad bowl.

The new Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology (WGCIT), which opened late last year at Salinas, Calif., is a technology incubator aimed at bringing innovative entrepreneurs together with farmers to facilitate creative solutions to the biggest challenges facing agriculture.

Water Use Efficiency in Alfalfa on The Water Zone

Posted on January 12, 2016 by torodriptips

Alfalfa’s been getting a bad rap lately, thanks in part to the drought currently affecting much of the western United States. This Thursday, January 14th, at 6p.m. PST on The Water Zone Radio Show, join special guest-hosts Inge Bisconer and Paul McFadden as they discuss water use efficiency in alfalfa.

Modernizing California Agriculture on The Water Zone

The Water Zone: How California Agriculture is being Modernized

Posted on December 10, 2015 by torodriptips

Toro Micro-Irrigation’s Inge Bisconer and Claude Corcos will guest-host tonight’s episode of “The Water Zone” radio show. On tonight’s show, they’ll take a closer look at how research and funding is helping to modernize California agriculture.

Tune in at 6:00pm PST as they discuss the latest research in water technology in agriculture with Becky Phene, a leading irrigation expert and University of California research associate. They’ll also talk to Carolyn Cook, and Environmental Scientist and California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Liaison to the Climate Change Consortium, about the recent announcement that the CDFA will be awarding $16 million in grant funding for agriculture operations throughout California.

Additional SWEEP Funding for California water improvement

CDFA: $16 Million SWEEP Funding for CA Water Saving Projects

Posted on December 2, 2015December 2, 2015 by torodriptips

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has announced that another $16 million in State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) funding has been released for projects within California. The CDFA will be accepting applications immediately, and will continue receiving applications until Friday, January 8, 2016 at 5:00p.m. PST.

The funding will provide financial assistance to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water at California agricultural operations. The funding is made available through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, from proceeds of California’s Cap‐and‐Trade program.

Staples Irrigation Efficiency Program Update

Posted on October 13, 2015October 12, 2015 by torodriptips

Get in touch with Staples Energy ASAP about any projects that save energy and use less water – projects must be approved by PG&E and installed by November 30th. There’s still time to get these incentives if you act fast.

The Irrigation Efficiency Program is offered by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) in collaboration with Staples Energy to help growers achieve both energy and water savings through more efficient irrigation equipment.

Water Technology and the Calidfornia Drought Summit - Drip Irrigation

Water Technology and The California Drought Summit

Posted on September 17, 2015September 11, 2015 by torodriptips

On July 10, 2015, Toro Micro-Irrigation was invited by Governor Brown to attend the “Water Technology and The California Drought Summit” at CalEPA headquarters.

The 2015 Summit on Water Technology and the California Drought explored existing and upcoming technologies that can be more broadly deployed to strengthen California’s drought resiliency.

The Water Zone Radio Show to Focus on Water Issues in California Agriculture

The Water Zone Radio Show, Hosted by Toro Irrigation, to Focus on Water Issues in California Agriculture

Posted on September 9, 2015November 22, 2017 by torodriptips

This Thursday, September 10th, “The Water Zone” radio show, hosted by Toro, will focus on California’s agricultural industry and efforts to save water amid the historic drought. Guests include Deputy Cabinet Secretary and Senior Advisor to California Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., and Manager of the San Luis Canal Company, among others.

Agriculture Irrigation Technology Day in Washington, DC

Agricultural Irrigation Technology Day on Capitol Hill

Posted on September 8, 2015 by torodriptips

Congressman Adrian Smith (Neb.), Congressman Jim Costa (Calif.) and members of the House Modern Agriculture Caucus hosted the first-ever agricultural irrigation technology day on July 22. The Irrigation Association sponsored the event, which consisted of a breakfast briefing and an evening reception.