For Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Jonasson
(559) 241-6233

Westlands Water District Announces 2024 Scholarship Winners

Scholarship winners will each receive a $1,000 scholarship toward their post-secondary education

Fresno, CA – Westlands Water District is proud to announce the recipients of its 2024 Westlands Scholarship. The annual Westlands Scholarship program recognizes and rewards exceptional graduating seniors from westside high schools. This year, the District is proud to extend the scholarship to support 20 youth in achieving their higher-education goals. Each scholarship recipient was selected based on a combination of academic achievements, leadership, contributions to the local community, and future career goals. 

“Westlands is honored to support the educational journey of some of our region’s outstanding youth for the 18th year,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “Recognizing that education can be expensive, we hope to help reduce barriers for students in our communities to pursue college and career paths so that they can achieve their dreams. These talented students are the ones who will define the future of the Central Valley.”

The District congratulates the following 20 recipients of the 2024 Westlands Scholarship. Amongst our recipients we have future leaders in education, healthcare, business, and science.  Below are excerpts from each recipient’s application when asked about the importance of agriculture and water in the San Joaquin Valley. 

Moises Solorio, Future Ag. Business Leader
Avenal High School – California State University, Fresno
“Agricultural water plays a crucial role in sustaining communities and livelihoods. Many families in the West Side of the San Joaquin Valley depend on agriculture for employment and income. Whether they work directly on farms, in agricultural support industries, or in businesses that benefit from the agricultural sector, water is essential for maintaining these jobs and preserving the fabric of rural communities.”

Angelina Lee, Future Nurse
Coalinga High School – California State University, Fresno
“My family comes from a generation of farmers. It is all my family has known since immigrating to the United States since they never realized or learned the importance of getting an education… Agriculture has opened many doors for my family. It has helped keep my family alive and well and provided many opportunities for us.”

Susana Licea, Future Registered Nurse
Coalinga High School – West Hills College
“Agriculture plays a crucial role in the economy of California and the west side of the San Joaquin Valley. The agricultural industry provides employment opportunities for thousands of people, from farmers and farmworkers to truck drivers and food processors. Without reliable access to water for irrigation, farms wouldn’t be able to operate efficiently, leading to job losses and economic instability in rural communities.”

Nolan Herrin, Future Business Leader
Coalinga High School – California State University, Fresno
“I was born in 2006. I have been riding around the farm for as long as I can remember. However, it wasn’t until 2020 that I got my first job checking wells for my dad. Then, from there in the summer of 2022, I started working with my grandpa Chuck, learning the many aspects of farm labor contracting. I did that again in the summer of 2023, and plan on working for either my dad or grandpa again this summer. During my lifetime, I have had a first-hand view of how important agriculture is and how many lives are affected by it. Not only does agriculture put food on the table for every person in the world. It is also how my family and so many others make a living within the Westlands Water District.”

Angela Rosa, Future Biologist
Firebaugh High School – California State University, Fresno
“Once I grew older I realized the importance of agriculture in our community, and how it helped my father stay secure, so I became involved in agriculture at our school. I volunteered at our annual Ag Awareness Day, to ensure young children know and understand the opportunities agricultural jobs provide. Although it might seem that agriculture affected my life negatively because of the circumstances we faced, without my father working in this field we would not have a home. And so for that I encourage agricultural education because this is a pathway that will always be secure in California.”

Isabella Silva, Future Nurse
Sierra Pacific High School – California State University, Fresno
“Its impact extends beyond serving as a cornerstone that has shaped the opportunities available to my parents in ways that were previously inconceivable to my grandparents. Agriculture has bestowed upon my family a foundational platform that we cherish deeply, filled with immense gratitude. As Steve Jobs famously remarked, “Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” I am thankful to leverage the successes that agriculture has bestowed upon my family, using them as stepping stones to further elevate my achievements and pave the path for future prosperity.”

Brayson Gillio, Future Ag. Business Leader
Sierra Pacific High School – California State University, Fresno
“I am devoted to assisting my father with our 65-year-old family business, which I hope to be the owner of one day. This will make me the fourth-generation owner of our company. My goal would be to expand this business and gain the education to help better assist the community.”

Sofia Godinho, Future Speech Pathologist
Sierra Pacific High School – San Diego State
“The west side of the San Joaquin Valley, with its fertile soil and ample water supply, supports the growth of a wide variety of crops. Without sufficient agricultural water, the region would struggle to meet the demand for fresh produce, impacting the availability and affordability of food for millions of people.”

Jason McDonald, Future Education Leader
Lemoore High School – Minot State University
“Water to the San Joaquin Valley is crucial for the people who own farms and those making a living providing the state its rich products. Products such as fruit and vegetables, cotton, feed for the meat products that we purchase and the dairy products we consume. Water makes all of this happen. When the farmers do not get the water needed it creates a ripple effect. Less water equals less crops, equals higher prices for all products. Less crops equal less workers needed. This effects towns and cities as people follow the work and towns dry up people move away.”

Daisy Albarran, Future Administration of Justice Leader
Lemoore High School – West Hills College Lemoore
“While my parents were able to further their education in college, my grandparents continued to work in the fields for Wonderful Company for years after my parents had left Avenal. It is thanks to our valley’s agriculture that has kept my grandparents employed, supported their families, and brought greater opportunities to each generation after them. I am forever grateful for the sacrifices they have made to come to this country and the hard work that they have put in to make their dreams come true. The Central Valley is my home, and I hope to help my local community continue to thrive as I become a working member of it myself after I graduate high school.”

Paige Orton, Future Teacher
Lemoore Middle College High School – Brigham Young University Idaho
“Agriculture is a part of our lives every single day. Despite taking care of the land and animals and it being very time-consuming, I enjoy it. I enjoy raising chickens. I enjoy helping my father when he needs it. I enjoy any opportunity to see and hang out with him when he isn’t outside or at the ranch. I enjoy being deemed responsible for taking care of other lives. I raise my own plants too. Having agriculture as a part of my life every single day makes me want to keep doing it.”

Arley Melendez, Future Political Science Leader
Mendota High School – UC Berkeley
“The loss of water will impact thousands of families who work in the fields. Families who have no high school degree, who can’t speak English, and who don’t have citizenship. Families like mine. According to Maven’s article, over 42,000 jobs are expected to be lost due to groundwater restrictions from SGMA. Moving forward, there is still uncertainty, but one thing is evident: water keeps the world and society revolving.”

Aylany Macias, Future Medicine/Public Health Official
Mendota High School – UC San Diego
“Despite its challenges, agriculture has been the one factor that has helped us survive. Due to agriculture, we’re allowed to have a roof above us and a food on the table every day. My exposure to agriculture has also allowed me to realize that I want to aspire for bigger and better things. Everyday as I see my parents leave the house at three in the morning to work in those fields, I think of the opportunities I can take advantage of to make my future better.”

Cherrilyn Segovia Ruiz, Future Pediatrician
Mendota High School – UCLA
“Across our community, many families rely on agricultural jobs to make ends meet and create better prospects for their loved ones. It’s a testament to their hard work and dedication to providing for their families while contributing to the agricultural industry’s vitality.”

Maria Mendoza, Future Public Health Official
Mendota High School – Cal Poly
“The summer of eighth grade was the first time I got to go work with them. I remember that day we were told we had to clean tomatoes by removing weeds. The hot sun was unbearable, but I was somehow able to do it for the entire two months of summer break. In those two months, I learned agriculture’s invaluable effect on my life. Agriculture wasn’t just a means to an end; it was the very foundation upon which my dreams were built. It provided not only a source of income but a sense of pride and purpose.”

Leonel Solorio, Future Biologist
Riverdale High School – California State University Monterey Bay
“The agricultural industry has affected my life because it was my job in the summertime. Even though I was working under extreme conditions it has made me value education. My family thinks that agriculture is just manual labor, however, there is so much more. When I was younger, we struggled to have food on the table. Knowing the struggle of going hungry pushed me to want to make a difference and help others not go through hunger. I volunteer for my local Lanare Community Food Bank four times per month, sometimes even more. I coordinate food deliveries, pack food, distribute to families, and translate. I derive more satisfaction from making a lasting difference in my community than spending my free time at home.”

Angela Vazquez Solorio, Future Mathematician
Riverdale High School – Lemoore College
“My dad used to work in a dairy, where his schedule would change every few weeks. Because of his experience working in agriculture, he taught me to be a person who can adapt. Now, he does tractor maintenance on a farm. Agriculture has affected how comfortable my life is. My family can have food on the table because of the jobs agriculture provides. Not only that, everyone has food on the table because of the agricultural business and the hard work of agricultural workers.”

Jimena Arias Estrada, Future Business Administrator
Riverdale High School – CSU Sacramento
“Both of my parents came to California from Mexico to give me and my siblings a better future. I have 2 older siblings and 1 younger brother. Since I was born, my dad has been my family’s only financial provider. He has always worked in the agriculture industry. He transfers and spreads soil in the fields. Although he has had a few different jobs as time has progressed, they have all been in the agriculture field and his job alone has been able to support me and my family throughout all my life.”

Denise Torres, Future Psychologist
Tranquility High School – CSU San Francisco
“I am the oldest child in my family and the daughter of two immigrants. I knew I wanted a better future for my family and myself as I saw my father’s daily struggles and spent the few hours a day he spent with me at night and after he got home from work. I had to take on the role of mother to my siblings at this point. My mom’s death left our family struggling as a whole. In our tiny apartment, my dad was the only one who could support the family.”

Oscar Duran Vega, Future Food Scientist
Tranquility High School – California State University, Fresno
“My family’s livelihood also depends on agriculture. Both my parents work as agricultural workers. If agriculture didn’t exist, my parents would not have jobs. If agriculture also didn’t exist, some of my favorite classes for high school work would not be available. Some of my favorite teachers are also a part of the Ag industry. My two favorite classes are Ag banking, and Mech 2. I have learned a lot from these two classes.”

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About Westlands Water District
Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation, and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology. 

For Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Jonasson
(559) 241-6233

Westlands Water District Responds to Disappointing Central Valley Project Water Allocation Update 

Fresno, CA – Today, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) announced an update to water allocations for Central Valley Project (CVP) water users. The revised allocation for South of Delta agricultural contractors, including Westlands Water District (District), was updated with an increase of 5 percent from 35 to 40 percent of the total water contract –another incredibly disappointingly low allocation for District water users.  

“With the state’s reservoirs and snowpack at above-average levels and much of the state out of drought conditions, this meager increase in allocation continues to present unnecessary and unjustified hardships for the hard-working people of our District,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “Water from the Central Valley Project is the lifeblood of our farms and communities that rely on the crops they grow. If we can’t expect transparency in the process and a robust water allocation reflective of the hydrology during years when our reservoirs are full, then what can we expect for the future of our region?”  

Since the initial allocation of 15 percent at the end of February, Westlands has noted several conditions that are incongruent with a water supply allocation lower than 50 percent. For instance, in comparison of conditions this year to 2018 where we had a 50 percent allocation, we are now seeing substantially more Delta outflow, better snowpack, and generally equivalent storage in upstream reservoirs. 

To the best of our understanding, the allocation is being held below 50 percent for two reasons: uncertainty in hydrology and corresponding conservatism in water management; and anticipated operational constraints for the protection of fisheries in the Delta.  We look forward to working with Reclamation, consistent with requests made earlier this spring by congressional leaders, to appropriately balance risks to water supply. With regard to restrictions caused by fisheries concerns, Westlands continues to seek clarification and documentation for these decisions. At present, and based on available information, we believe the decisions will not result in a measurable effect on the populations of the species, despite their significant cost to water supply. We feel this is a missed opportunity to celebrate what appears to be a healthy population of fisheries and does not warrant the high cost or alarmist actions. 

Perhaps most concerning to Westlands is that this current experience raises concerns for how the regulatory agencies will approach the promised improvements to transparency, science-based decisions, and adaptive management under the pending Biological Opinions and Voluntary Agreements. Westlands remains vigilant in the effort to improve collaborative water supply decision-making and the transparency and accountability for those decisions.  

We remain hopeful that Reclamation will increase our water allocation so that the District can continue to meet California’s – and the nation’s – food supply and food security needs. 

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About Westlands Water District
Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation, and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology. 

For Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Jonasson
(559) 241-6233

Westlands Water District Responds to the 35 Percent Water Allocation for the Central Valley Project 

Low Water Allocations for Westlands Water District Negatively Impact the San Joaquin Valley Economy and the District’s Ability to Meet the Nation’s Food Security Needs

Fresno, CA – Today, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) announced an update to the water allocations for Central Valley Project (CVP) water users, initially announced in February. The initial allocation for South of Delta agricultural contractors, including Westlands Water District, was set at 15 percent of the total water contract. Today’s announcement revises the previous allocation to 35 percent for South of Delta agricultural contractors.

“Inadequate and unpredictable water supplies have a direct impact on the communities and farms in the San Joaquin Valley and their ability to feed the nation and the world,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District.

“This is very disappointing and not because our expectations are unrealistic. The broad public discussions surrounding water management in California have led us to believe that higher levels of delivery would be possible in better hydrologic years, such as this one. Westlands has been banking on that, literally, as demonstrated by the nearly 400,000 acre-feet we stored last year with a 100 percent allocation. Last year’s groundwater banking started to reverse subsidence in some areas and represents an important protection that we had intended for drought years, not average years like this.

“With implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), our growers rely almost entirely on our CVP surface water deliveries to either reduce our reliance on groundwater pumping in years with relatively good hydrology or recharge our groundwater basins in years with wet hydrology. Earlier this year, with our observation of the relatively good hydrology, we had been planning to have sufficient CVP surface water allocations to reduce or eliminate our reliance on groundwater pumping. Our upstream reservoirs are full, snowpack is decent, and Delta outflows are very high, and it appears that there is good response by fisheries to two good hydrologic years in a row. From what we see, the science regarding operational decisions and the hydrology moving forward support a higher allocation.

“It’s essential that water operations decisions are made with an appropriate respect for the people, communities, and essential industries that rely on CVP water supply allocations for survival. Today’s low allocation update is a missed opportunity to celebrate what appears to be good outcomes for fisheries and to also provide water supplies that are essential for the San Joaquin Valley, an area already struggling with economic challenges and rising unemployment.”

The future for CVP South of Delta water supply in 2024 is concerning, according to Westlands’ analysis, due to a variety of factors. Salvage of both steelhead and winter-run salmon at the Delta export facilities are expected to exceed historical records for both species. The fishery salvage numbers are expected to trigger further restrictions on Delta pumping into June, when the opportunity to take advantage of the good hydrologic conditions will have largely passed. A significant lingering concern held by Westlands is that the high numbers of fish entrained are a symptom of good outcomes for the fisheries, and that the precautionary measures being taken are not having a significant effect on the viability of the species, despite the heavy cost in water supply. The compounded uncertainties surrounding fish are expected to constrain the Bureau of Reclamation in its ability to provide robust CVP water supply allocations early in the year. Westlands continues to ask for clarity on the science behind the restrictions and looks to use this unfortunate outcome as the basis for better clarity and a more balanced and thoughtful framework for decision making in future adaptive management forums.

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About Westlands Water District
Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation, and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology. 

For Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Jonasson
(559) 241-6233

Westlands Water District Exceeds Annual Groundwater Recharge Goal

Fresno, California – Westlands Water District (District) has officially recharged 380,000 acre-feet (af) of surface water back into District aquifers since March 2023 – exceeding the District’s ambitious target of recharging 275,000 af of groundwater by the end of this water year on February 29, 2024. The initial target of 200,000 af of recharge was exceeded in November and updated to reflect the positive momentum.

“Hats off to District farmers for their commitment and contributions to this significant achievement,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “Farmers in Westlands rank amongst the most productive and water-efficient in the world. Surpassing our groundwater recharge goal demonstrates that our farmers are stepping up doing their part to both ensure groundwater sustainability and aid in the long-term prospects of continuing to clothe and feed the nation with the bounty from this incredibly fertile land. Still, we acknowledge that Westlands cannot survive on groundwater recharge alone. For groundwater recharge to be truly effective, we must restore a robust and reliable surface water supply.”

Coming off a dry year with a 0% allocation, the District and farmers were quick to pivot to take advantage of the opportunity that came with increased surface water supply from the 2022/2023 winter. Westlands set an initial goal of recharging 200,000 af of surface water back into the Westside subbasin. Quickly the District and farmers got to work setting up a groundwater recharge program, approving, and implementing projects. District farmers took part in groundwater recharge programs and incentives established by the District to maximize the amount of water recharged. Projects included recharge basins, Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) wells, Flood-Managed Aquifer Recharge (Flood-MAR), and sublateral recharge. In total, 527 groundwater projects were approved throughout District boundaries, with a few more in development. With the implementation of these projects, we were able to successfully use 100% of our allocated supply and additional surface water made available from the Central Valley Project.

“With increasingly unreliable surface water supplies we’ve invested in making sure that every drop is maximized. We’ve led the way in implementing water conservation technologies and are forging ahead to implement solutions like groundwater recharge to help increase District water supplies,” said Jeff Fortune, Board President, Westlands Water District. “Recharge projects- which have recharged approximately a year’s worth of our aquifer’s sustainable yield- will provide a lifeline to hundreds of family-owned farms during evermore frequent periods when the District receives a low or no water allocation from the Central Valley Project. The Board is proud of the efforts of District farmers to take advantage of groundwater efforts during our recent wet winters and the District stands ready to build on this momentum.”

Westlands will continue to prioritize groundwater recharge efforts and projects in the 2024/2025 water year – minimizing water supply volatility by taking advantage of surface water supply when available to improve groundwater levels and store for future use.

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About Westlands Water District
Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than seven decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Jonasson
(559) 241-6233

Westlands Water District Now Accepting Applications for 2024 High School Scholarships

Fresno, CA – Westlands Water District is pleased to announce the twentieth year of the District’s annual scholarship program in support of high school seniors pursuing higher education. As a symbol of the District’s steadfast support for San Joaquin Valley youth, the Westlands Water District Board of Directors has once more expanded the scholarship program to award up to twenty $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from local high schools in 2024. Over the past 19 years, the District has proudly supported over 120 students to pursue their academic goals.   

High school seniors graduating from the following westside school districts are eligible to apply for the District’s scholarship: Reef-Sunset Unified School District, Coalinga-Huron Unified School District, Firebaugh-Las Deltas Unified School District, Hanford Joint Union High School District, Lemoore Union High School District, Mendota Unified School District, Riverdale Joint Unified School District, and Golden Plains Unified School District.

“The Westlands Water District Scholarship meant so much to me as it has allowed me to put my education as my first priority. With this scholarship, I was able to purchase my laptop. Without this scholarship, I would not have been able to complete my schoolwork.”  

-Grace Kinney, 2022 Westlands Scholarship Recipient  

Students will be evaluated based on their application, essay, academic transcripts, reference letters, demonstrated leadership, contributions to local communities, career goals, and need. Each scholarship recipient will receive $1,000 to be used for accredited post-secondary education expenses.

The deadline to apply for the Westlands Water District 2024 High School Scholarship is 11:59 p.m. on April 21, 2024. All applications and supporting documents must be received by the District on or before the application deadline. Applications and supporting documents may be submitted on the District’s website. 

For more information please contact the public affairs office at (559) 241-6233 or at pubaffairs@wwd.ca.gov. 

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About Westlands Water District
Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation, and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.