We Grow California

12/31/2025

Here are 2025's Top Episodes!

12/24/2025

Thanks for listening!

11/26/2025

They're back! After a few weeks of hiatus, California State Treasurer Fiona Ma joined Darcy & Darcy Stoltz Burke for an in-depth discussion on water, ag, infrastructure financing, and public service. If you don’t know what the state treasurer does, think of this position as the state’s primary banker. Treasurer Ma’s office processes more than $3 trillion in payments within a typical year and provides transparency and oversight for an investment portfolio of more than $124 billion, approximately $34.8 billion of which are local government funds.

Ma has been a strong advocate for California’s agricultural sector and has worked on various initiatives to support farmers and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Her commitment to agriculture underscores her understanding of its vital role in California’s economy and environmental sustainability. But that’s not all! Darcy & Darcy learned that Treasure Ma is the co-founder of the San Francisco Farm Bureau, and it all started with saving the historic Cow Palace! To find out the rest of the story, tune in - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-grow-california/id1631037490?i=1000738483924

09/17/2025

Agriculture scored a win (Yes! REALLY!) recently when the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California’s ruling that the Clean Water Act’s exemption for “irrigated agriculture return flows” shields projects like the Grassland Bypass Project (GBP) from federal National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements.

At the heart of the issue is David Cory, President of the Grasslands Basin Authority. This week David joins Darcy and Darcy Stoltz Burke and shares the history of the GBP, the related San Joaquin River Water Quality Improvement Project (SJRIP), the eleven-year litigation, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling, and much more. You’ll learn from David that even when you do things the right way from the beginning and involve the right stakeholders, things don’t always go as planned. Be sure and listen-in! To learn more about David and the GBP, visit www.GBAAuthority.com.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1998676/episodes/17858322

Agriculture scored a win recently when the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California’s ruling that the Clean Water Act’s exemption for “irrigated agriculture return flows” shields projects...

07/23/2025

Assemblyman David Tangipa joins Darcy and Darcy Stoltz Burke for a great conversation that covers a wide range of California issues and topics! For those that don’t know him yet, David is the youngest person serving in the California legislature. He was elected to the California State Assembly in 2024 and represents District 8, which includes Calaveras, Fresno, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, and Tuolumne counties. Darcy & Darcy discuss with David his perspective on the business of California’s legislature, his first six months in office, some great ideas he has about putting existing infrastructure to work doing double duty, the impact the Groundwater Sustainability Act has had on his constituents, and most importantly, lessons learned.

One thing is clear: David is an upcoming California policy leader. The ECPAC is looking forward to hosting a fundraiser for David on July 31st at noon at M & M’s Italian Restaurant in Los Banos. If you would like to support David or join us for lunch, please contact Terra at (559) 281-9088 or email her at [email protected]. All are welcome to attend.

Assemblyman David Tangipa joins Darcy and Darcy for a great conversation that covers a wide range of California issues and topics! For those that don’t know him yet, David is the youngest person serving in the California legislature. He was electe...

06/11/2025

Time is of the essence for the Delta Conveyance Plan (DCP) studies and to help us understand what’s going on and the urgency, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s Chairman Adan Ortega Jr. joined Darcy Stoltz Burke and Darcy Villere joined on the most recent episode of We Grow California.

This episode is a little intense, and sadly Darcy V. is suffering from laryngitis, but Darcy B some tough questions. Adán doesn’t sugar coat the dire situation the Delta finds itself in. The impact the Delta failure will have on its region, state, and country is catastrophic at best. Adán shares some great insight on how Metropolitan has been preparing for a Delta failure, investing in storage and other risk mitigation efforts including its CAMP4H2O, but the reality is, this is a statewide issue.

Listen in!

Time is of the essence for the Delta Conveyance Plan (DCP) studies and to help us understand what’s going on and the urgency, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s Chairman Adán Ortega joined Darcy and Darcy. Recently Governor Newso...

05/29/2025

Darcy Stoltz Burke and Darcy V and I are back from the ACWA Association of California Water Agencies’ Spring Conference! They had the pleasure of meeting Dan Keppen, the Executive Director at the Family Farm Alliance. This week Dan joins them and discusses his upcoming retirement, his successes, challenges, and accomplishments.
After twenty years with the Alliance, and over thirty years in agriculture and water, Dan shares some advice and insights for our next generation leaders, as well as those that are leading now. The Alliance has members from all 16 western states and actively represents their ag water interests at the federal level. Dan’s been able to do this successfully by building coalitions and focusing on what can be agreed upon – which as we all know, is easier said than done. Listen in, learn how Dan has made it work on a very tight budget, and how the Family Farm Alliance earned their seat at the table. Check them out at www.familyfarmalliance.org/
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1998676/episodes/17238650Darcy

Darcy and Darcy are back from the Association of California Water Agencies’ (ACWA) Spring Conference! They had the pleasure of meeting Dan Keppen, the Executive Director at the Family Farm Alliance (Alliance). This week Dan joins them and discusse...

03/19/2025

It’s March and newly elected officials have settled into their seats. At the state level, one third of all legislators are new. Locally, that percentage could be higher or lower. Regardless, newly elected officials rarely have an understanding about California’s water complexities nor the importance of Agriculture and its unique challenges.

To get a newly elected perspective, Darcy and Darcy Stoltz Burkewelcome City of Canyon Lake Mayor, Mark Terry. Mayor Terry was appointed to City Council two years ago and then was elected to his first four-year term in November. The Mayor shares his perspective on the importance of water, having a city that has two water providers, how is navigates the challenges, and what he recommends. Join the conversation and find some take-aways that might work for you in your community.

For more information about Mayor Mark Terry and the City of Canyon Lake, visit https://www.canyonlakeca.gov/ .

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1998676/episodes/16821158

It’s March and newly elected officials have settled into their seats. At the state level, one third of all legislators are new. Locally, that percentage could be higher or lower. Regardless, newly elected officials rarely have an understanding abo...

02/19/2025

This is a good one! Vivian Welsh Founder and CEO of Vivians a firm that develops Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions, joins Darcy and Darcy and discusses what AI is, how utilities or farmers use this technology, what guardrails (If any) are in place, and what’s been the biggest barrier to AI implementation. Vivian shares great success stories, answers tough questions, and provides wonderful tips for getting started. Young, old, or in-between, this is an episode you can’t miss. Join the conversation!

To reach Vivian directly, visit her website www.vivians.io/ or email her at [email protected]

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-grow-california/id1631037490?i=1000693857238

Podcast Episode · We Grow California · 02/19/2025 · 44m

02/11/2025

Thank you Associated California Water Agencies (ACWA) for profiling Darcy Villere, showcasing our other co-host, Darcy Stoltz Burke, and one of our favorite guests, David Pedersen!

01/01/2025

Happy New Year! Darcy & Darcy will be back this year with some great guests and hot topics! If you are new to the show, you can catch up here https://www.buzzsprout.com/1998676/episodes

11/20/2024

Darcy V. and Darcy B. thought you could use a little refresh from all the election advertising, conversation, and in some instances, drama. Just in time for the biggest food holiday of the year, They go over some fun Thanksgiving Dinner food facts. Darcy V. has been waiting to do this episode for over a year! We share where the most popular holiday food comes from, how much in total receipts each item generates, and a multitude of other fun foodie facts! You’ll be the hit of the party with this information! Spoiler alert – California Farmers are a big reason you enjoy those Thanksgiving family favorites. So, while we all count our blessings this holiday, please take a moment and offer thanks for our California Farmers.

Did you know We Grow California and the Exchange Contractors PAC are hosting a special fundraiser? Join us in thanking these California Farmers by making a financial contribution on the https://www.ecwaterpac.com/non-event/ . Thank you for your support.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1998676/episodes/16139120-post-election-palate-cleanser

Darcy B. and Darcy V. thought you could use a little refresh from all the election advertising, conversation, and in some instances, drama.  Just in time for the biggest food holiday of the year, Darcy V. and Darcy B. go over some fun Thanksg...