Brad Harrison

Every Grower we talk to is facing the same impossible choice: where to cut water, and when. Last Season, State Water Project allocations jumped from 5% in December to 50% by April in California. Pumping now costs more than $200 per acre-foot. At those levels, deficit irrigation becomes less about cutting back and more about making deliberate choices that safeguard both yield potential and profitability. What really stood out while writing this blog is how differently each crop responds: 🌱 Almonds collapse if early cuts are too deep 🌱 Pistachios punish deficits during kernel fill 🌱 Citrus can trade size for flavor 🍇 Grapes can deliver both quality and savings with the right timing If you’re evaluating deficit irrigation or refining your water strategy, we would be glad to share what we're seeing in the field. I dig deeper into all of this in the blog I wrote recently. It also includes a 7-step playbook growers can apply right now, combining imagery and probes to make deficit irrigation a plan, not a gamble! #WaterManagement #SustainableAg #AgTech #RemoteSensing

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The MAHA movement is not just about clean ingredients, it's headed towards packaging as well. As we learn more about the impact of certain materials, perhaps its time to take an honest look at what the future of packaging looks like. Status-quo (packaging of yesterday) or a total reset (innovation). Don't get me wrong, plastic is incredibly functional, but we can and should do better where it really makes sense. #thegreatpaperization #SmartSolve #PureNil #watersoluble

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California’s water challenges often dominate headlines, but the most effective solutions are frequently happening at the local level. In a compelling conversation on Ag Meter, Josh Weimer, Director of External Affairs for the Turlock Irrigation District (TID), explains how smart water management, technology, and local control are helping one Central Valley community stay resilient amid ongoing drought, regulation, and uncertainty. https://ow.ly/n1Ns50XSEhp

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Sustainability is reshaping the wine and craft beer world—and Arizona's vineyards and breweries are leading the way. From water-saving irrigation methods to solar-powered facilities, local producers are adopting eco-friendly practices with passion and purpose. These efforts protect Arizona's unique desert landscape while crafting flavors that tell a story of care and connection. For example, some wineries use dry farming techniques that rely on natural rainfall, resulting in grapes with more concentrated flavors. Craft breweries are creating with reusable packaging and sourcing ingredients from nearby farms to reduce their carbon footprint. What does this mean for you? When you join a tour with Arizona Winery Tours, you're not just tasting exceptional wines and beers—you're supporting a community committed to sustainability and quality. Next time you sip that desert-inspired glass, remember: it's a celebration of nature, creativity, and a shared promise to protect the beauty we explore together.

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Check out this insightful article by Eryn Wingate discussing the crucial role Western Region Certified Crop Advisers play in agriculture. Growers in California must adhere to regulations like completing Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Plans for each crop and parcel they farm. Having a California Certified Crop Adviser with the Nitrogen Management Specialty certification review and approve these plans ensures growers are in compliance with State regulations. #Agriculture #CropAdvisers #CaliforniaFarming More information can be found in California Farm Bureau's AgAlert: https://lnkd.in/gzJtTQHv

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Big projects (especially public infrastructure projects) are complex, expensive and difficult. You can plan for many risks and scenarios but there are always unexpected complications. Such is the nature of a megaptoject. The multi-generational benefits of big investments in clean, reliable drinking water are vast. (Ask anyone who’s been forced to live with the dangerous impacts of underinvestment in water infrastructure.) I’m proud of my dedicated colleagues at the Portland Water Bureau who have worked diligently to move the Bull Run Filtration Project through unforeseen challenges (a pandemic, lengthy land use process delays, rapid inflation, more!). They’ve always put community first. We’re exploring every path to manage costs and reduce impacts to customers while finishing strong on one of the most important public health projects Portland’s ever seen. Y’all, don’t forget: Water is worth it. 💦

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