TULARE -- Most California farmers expect to be in business in five years, according to a recent survey by agriculture marketing firm dmrkynetec. But to make it, they'll have to meet challenges ranging from air quality problems to groundwater issues to the use of complex technology.

Those themes were featured Wednesday at a conference in Tulare that brought about 50 growers, crop advisors and others to hear about the latest government regulations and scientific advances to help farmers prosper.

"It's important for everyone to be up to date on the latest rules and regulations," said Ron Harben of the California Association of Resource Conservation Agencies.

Harben noted that regulation is "not always taken to kindly," but, he added, "as population grows, we can no longer do what we used to be able to do."

Agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley -- comprising 6.4 million acres and 27,000 farms churning out $15 billion in annual value -- is the last major industry in California to be subject to the full range of environmental controls other sectors have faced for some time.

Agriculture's $1.7 billion annual contribution to Kings County's economy ranks it second only to government employment.

Wednesday's conference was designed in part to educate farmers about those regulations -- and to identify areas where regulators think farmers are making a significant effort toward a cleaner environment.

Speakers highlighted the conservation management plans, which growers were required to formulate in 2004 shortly after ag became subject to air quality standards.

The individual farm plans -- some 4,000 of which have been filed with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District -- outline strategies to control dust and reduce the Valley's notorious air pollution. Some are as simple as watering down dirt roads. Others involve higher-tech practices like "chemigation" and "fertigation," which avoid tractor runs through the field by putting chemicals and nutrients directly into irrigation water.

The plans have cut ag emissions by 35 tons a day, according to Johnnie Siliznoff of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

"There's a lot to be said for that," Siliznoff said.

Ag's remaining contribution to air pollution is 406 tons per day, according to air district engineer Shiraz Gill.

Gill called the conservation plans "a great accomplishment" but pointed to more restrictions coming with AB 32, the landmark 2006 California climate change bill that requires reductions of greenhouse gases.

"You are going to be hearing a lot more about them in the future," he said.

Growers already have key air pollution deadlines on the horizon. By Jan. 2011, most stationary farm engines must be replaced by cleaner-burning models or electric motors.

Early next year, tightening air pollution restrictions are going to rope in smaller farms, according to the air district.

Another key issue is groundwater management. Massive, decades-long overdraft of the Valley's groundwater is sinking the land, threatening structures like the Lemoore Naval Air Station runways and bringing plant-killing salt to the surface.

Better ways need to be found to regulate, control and replenish that groundwater, said engineer Karl Longley.

"This [groundwater] basin is our bank account," Longley said.

Better ways need to be found to capture floodwater and direct it toward natural recharge aquifers, he said.

If the current overdraft situation continues, he added, parts of the Valley will look like "Iraq."

Longley noted that Fresno County and Kern County have groundwater management ordinances while Tulare and Kings don't.

The sheer amount of regulatory talk weighed on Justin Dutra, a crop advisor with Stone Land Company in Stratford.

"It's kind of depressing. Ever hear of the term regulated to death?" asked Dutra in an interview after the conference.

"Ag has always been able to adjust. But we can only adjust so much," he said.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2432.

(Nov. 19, 2009)