An article from Perspectives From the Field
Writing by Carl Evers III, AgIS Capital Director of Sustainability
Over the last few years, AgIS Capital has invested in significant infrastructure to improve the capacity to utilize surface water on two farms in California.
Upon purchasing the properties for our client, the properties were in districts that delivered surface water; however the on-farm infrastructure was not sufficient to deliver and convey the total amount of water available from the irrigation district in years with plentiful supply. Through investing several hundred thousand dollars and significant planning, we improved the diversion, conveyance, and delivery capability of the farms; and just in time for the abundance of water in the 2023 growing season.
This win-win-win situation means:
- The client can utilize water at a lower cost than energy cost to pump groundwater,
- The farm has a more plentiful water supply, and
- The groundwater table is able to be replenished with the lowered usage
A reservoir filling with surface water, utilizing the improved diversion capacity
Due to the improvements made, we were able to irrigate the farms primarily with surface water, resting the wells for the season that normally would have been used without the additional capacity.
This win-win-win situation means that the client can utilize water at a lower cost than energy cost to pump groundwater, the farm has a more plentiful water supply, and the groundwater table is able to be replenished with the lowered usage. This benefits the entire groundwater basin, including those who live and farm in the area.
Learn more about AgIS Capital’s Sustainability efforts on our Responsibility page.
