Using environmentally-friendly practices is not always the easiest way, but it is always the right way.
That’s why River Garden Farms is always striving to protect its natural environment and reduce its environmental footprint, despite it often being more expensive to do so. We have been proactive in implementing systems and procedures that create synergy between the environment and our farming operations, including the utilization of Solar Energy and the continual consideration of Water Efficiency. We believe that if we take care of the environment, then the environment will continue to take care of us.
SOLAR ENERGY
To say that farms rely on the sun is an incredible understatement, as its power to photosynthesize is a key element in growing our crops. There are additional advantages of harnessing the power of the sun and converting it into solar power. It is a renewable resource with no danger of depletion. Solar power is also non-polluting, both in it usage and acquisition. To take advantage of these benefits, in 2010, River Garden Farms added 5.5 acres of solar panels to reduce energy costs and its carbon footprint. The 680 kilowatt system installed at Tyndall Mound Warehouse offsets 85 percent of the electricity costs at the warehouse each year.
WATER EFFICIENCY
River Garden Farms also carefully balances the use of Sacramento River water and groundwater to protect both from potential overuse. We are taking the lead in experimenting with more efficient ways to get water to crops. For example, drip tape has been used for alfalfa and other crops and will soon be tested for its potential to reduce water use for rice fields. We are investing in new technologies in irrigation efficiency, such as drip emitters, micro-sprinklers, and drip tape systems, which are improving water use efficiency throughout farming operations. Our staff study and document best practices, conduct tours, speak at industry events to educate others, and work on projects with various environmental organizations. When possible, prudent participation in water transfers allows us to help others survive water shortages while providing resources necessary to enable us to fund important environmental and community projects and programs.
WATER USE IN CALIFORNIA: DID YOU KNOW?
Are you aware of all the ways that water is divided for use? It’s probably not as you may think. The chart below, which is generated with information contained in the California Water Plan, shows the many and varied environmental water uses, as well as the proportion of water used by the urban and agricultural sectors, in the entire state.
California Water Use
In the Sacramento Valley, environmental water uses garner an even larger share of available water supplies in the region (see chart below). Efforts to ensure that basic needs are met in even the driest years is an important part of ensuring sustainability in the region. River Garden Farms is proud to be working with our partners – non-profit, federal, and state – on ways to conserve water so it’s available to meet all needs.
Sacramento River Applied Water Use
Water use information and charts provided by NCWA.