The California Farm Water Coalition was formed in 1989 in the midst of a seven-year drought. CFWC was formed to increase public awareness of agriculture’s efficient use of water and promote the industry’s environmental sensitivity regarding water.

Mission

The California Farm Water Coalition Board of Directors has identified three primary goals as part of its mission to increase public awareness of agriculture’s use of water and provide a common, unifying voice for agricultural water users.

• To serve as the voice for agricultural water users.
• To represent irrigated agriculture in the media.
• To educate the public about the benefits of irrigated agriculture.

Membership

CFWC is a statewide organization representing a cross-section of the agricultural industry. Members include individual farmers, agricultural water districts and agencies, agri-business representatives and other agricultural organizations. They represent regions as diverse as Imperial and Mendocino counties, the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys and the Central Coast.

Members include most agricultural irrigation districts in California, individual farmers and the following major agri-business donors:

Calcot, Ltd.        California Farm Bureau Federation        Wells Fargo  Bank

US AgBank         Paramount Farming, Inc.        American AgCredit, Santa Rosa

Farm Credit Services, Colusa        Farm Credit West, Yuba City        Fresno-Madera Farm Credit

FLBA of Kingsburg            N. CA Farm Credit, Chico        Farm Credit Services Southwest, Tempe, AZ

Yosemite Farm Credit, Turlock                                                 

Activities

CFWC provides balanced information regarding the economic, social and environmental benefits of irrigated agriculture. Exhibits at county fairs, farm day programs and other public forums, give CFWC direct contact with the public. The organization continuously works to develop new materials and publications highlighting issues, events and accomplishments concerning irrigated agriculture. CFWC works with programs like the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom to develop materials for schoolchildren and participates in such programs as the California Water Awareness Campaign to promote responsible water usage.

Farm Water Works!

Farm Water Works! is the public outreach program of CFWC. Utilizing various public relations methods, CFWC carries the message that irrigated agriculture benefits all Californians.

Publications/Multi-media

The Coalition web site provides members and the public alike with timely information on water issues and background material on agricultural water use. It also contains an engaging kids page aimed at teaching children about the industry.

CFWC has produced a variety of publications and multi-media tools to educate and inform the public about California agricultural water issues. These materials help reinforce the Coalition's message of agriculture's economic vitality, environmental sensibility and its contributions to the quality of life in California.