The San Joaquin Valley, known as the nation’s breadbasket, grows a cornucopia of fruits, nuts and other agricultural products.

During our three-day Central Valley Tour April 3-5, you will meet farmers who will explain how they prepare the fields, irrigate their crops and harvest the produce that helps feed the nation and beyond. We also will drive through hundreds of miles of farmland and visit the rivers, dams, reservoirs and groundwater wells that provide the water.

Farmers will talk about how the historic drought earlier this decade affected their operations and groundwater use, including discussion of strategies and technologies to reduce water use, increase water efficiency and prevent water loss. We’ll also find out how they’re being affected by one of the wetter winters of the last few years and how they are meeting the requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

On the west side of the valley, we will see row crops such as lettuce, tomato, garlic, spring wheat, broccoli and asparagus while the east side of the valley is characterized more by orchards including oranges, peaches, plums, nectarines, apricots, pluots, cherries and avocados. Over the years, many valley farmers have shifted from row crops to permanent crops such as almonds, pistachios, walnuts and pecans. 

Besides farms, this tour stops at some of the state’s major infrastructure, such as Friant Dam and the San Luis Reservoir, as well as the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, a major wintering ground and migratory stopover point for large concentrations of waterfowl and shorebirds.

The bus is filling up quickly, so get your ticket here before they’re gone! 

Click here for information on all of our 2019 tours, and contact Programs Manager Nick Gray via email or at 916-444-6240 with any questions.