Since 2024, CAFF has partnered with the Glenn County Resource Conservation District (RCD) for outreach to small farmers in Glenn and Colusa Counties about changing groundwater access from the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. As the first phase of this work concludes, we reflect on lessons learned along the way. For the Glenn County RCD, their annual Programs 101 event sparked a focused effort to address one of agriculture’s most urgent challenges—groundwater management.
Identifying the Need
Programs 101 was originally designed to connect producers with funding opportunities, technical assistance, and conservation programs. But throughout the event, one topic kept rising to the surface: the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
Producers had plenty of questions. What does SGMA require? How does it impact individual operations? Where can they go for help? It became clear that while resources existed, there was a gap in delivering that information in a way that felt accessible, local, and relevant.
Turning Insight into Action
Recognizing this need, the Glenn County RCD built on the momentum of Programs 101 to launch a new effort: SGMA 101 workshops in Glenn County and Colusa County.
These workshops brought together a diverse group of partners to share both state and local perspectives. Speakers included representatives from the California Department of Water Resources, Dudek, Colusa County Community Development Department, South Colusa North Yolo Program, local Groundwater Authorities, and Water & Land Solutions.
In partnership with the CAFF, the goal was simple: make SGMA understandable, relevant, and actionable for local producers.
What Happened
The response exceeded expectations.
Turnout was higher than anticipated, and while outreach efforts often focus on small farmers and ranchers, the audience proved to be much broader. The workshops drew a diverse group of attendees, highlighting just how widely SGMA impacts the region.
The Role of Local Connection
This is where Glenn County RCD’s role became especially important.
Through its partnership with CAFF and its deep roots in the community, the RCD has been able to act as a bridge—connecting Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs), agencies, and producers in a way that feels local, trusted, and accessible. Existing relationships played a major role in bringing people through the door and creating space for meaningful dialogue.
The workshops didn’t just benefit producers. They also helped connect GSA board members with resources and support available through the California Department of Water Resources, strengthening communication on both sides.
Why It Matters
The success of the Glenn County RCD’s outreach informed aspects of the new report Managing Groundwater with Small Farms in Mind: Risks, Barriers, and Opportunities of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which was released by CAFF and the UC Small Farms Network in July 2026. Among other findings, the report stresses the importance of intentional outreach with farming communities in the success of SGMA implementation and offers 50 recommendations for GSAs to better implement SGMA with small farms in mind.
Continuing Momentum
Building on the success of the SGMA 101 events, the Glenn County RCD hosted two more informative events for the Colusa Subbasin called SGMA 201 to provide local growers, landowners, and community members with an opportunity to get a deeper understanding of SGMA and local groundwater management. With more than 200 farmers attending the two events, the biggest takeaways from this outreach was the importance of giving growers a place to ask questions and better understand the information being provided to them. Having someone local to call is essential for growers to have an opportunity to ask questions, review their concerns, and feel more prepared before speaking with the GSAs and other agencies involved.