Meet CAFF’s new Groundwater Community Engagement Team

To support our outreach to family farmers about changes in California’s groundwater, CAFF is excited to be working with seven Groundwater Community Engagement Contractors around the state. Each contractor has deep ties to the communities in which they work, many as small-scale farmers themselves. This is part of a state-wide effort to support farmer outreach and education on the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and regional changes to groundwater access. 

As detailed in the 2022 report SGMA and Underrepresented Farmers, small farms and their unique needs are often not captured in Groundwater Sustainability Plans. Recent reporting by Ag Alert points to the importance of outreach to these farmers during SGMA implementation. CAFF continues to advocate for family farmers in state-wide water conversations and these contractors are supporting regional, on the ground outreach to farmers.  

These individuals are attending and summarizing outcomes from Groundwater Sustainability Agency meetings (so you don’t have to!), writing summaries of the groundwater plans and activities in each region, and are available to talk through water issues your farm may be experiencing. They can connect you with engineering technical assistance through Dudek and other professional groups, for water testing, well sounding, or other technical support and with legal consultations through the UC Davis Small Farm Water Justice Legal Clinic. We are proud to do this work in partnership with UC Agricultural & Natural Resources, who are actively hiring for outreach roles in the San Joaquin Valley, Riverside County, and Central Coast. 

This work is funded by the Budget Acts of 2021 and 2022 through the Department of Water Resources (DWR), Underrepresented Communities, California Tribes, and Small Farmers Groundwater Technical Assistance (URC TA) Program. The Department of Water Resources is working with Water Foundation to support underrepresented communities through outreach, education, and research for communities who rely on groundwater for drinking water, groundwater dependent ecosystems, and small farmers. 

If you have general questions about SGMA statewide, email us at sgma@caff.org or call us at (559) 424-3667. For regionally specific support or to hear about upcoming opportunities, you can reach out to your local contact, listed below.