By Dayna Ghirardelli, Executive Director
Here we go again. The deadline for submitting this article was five days ago, and I’m still pondering what to write about.
Sonoma County Ag Days seems like the most logical. It was another successful event where over 3,500 students, parents, and teachers spent two mornings at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds to get closer to agriculture. There were over 60 exhibitors who dedicated their time to interacting with the students, parents, and teachers, making this experience memorable for all! Of course, no Farm Bureau event can happen without volunteers, and we had many, for which I am so grateful! Without their hard work and dedication, events like Ag Days would not be possible. Their commitment to the success of these gatherings truly underscores the importance of community involvement and supports our commitment to educating the public.
Another logical topic is the Potter Valley Project (PVP). This one is far more complicated than most. This is not a new topic; it has been on the docket for quite some time. President Burns’s article reminds us of the PVP and how we got here. It’s the “here” that is causing unrest. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and Sonoma Water, in conjunction with the Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission and others, have been in the trenches trying to work out a solution that, at the very least, maintains the diversion of water from the Eel River to the Russian River. Through their countless endeavors, a diversion was agreed upon, so a sense of accomplishment was felt and portrayed as a victory. However, the issue is that the conditional diversion feels more like a token rather than a solution.
Mayor Todd Lands and the City of Cloverdale held a town hall on March 20th to bring greater awareness to the public as the destruction of the dams and the Potter Valley Project will affect all residents of Sonoma County, as well as residents of Lake, Mendocino, and Marin Counties. Unfortunately, people are just starting to pay attention to this situation, despite its prioritization for over a decade. However, increased awareness is igniting more discussions and demands by folk to policymakers to find a better solution, one that does not leave so much uncertainty. Sounds simple, right? If it was, ample water diversion would be maintained, and the discussion would be over.
There is a mix of messages being disseminated. Some are saying, “It’s done,” some are saying “Be happy that we have some level of diversion,” and some are saying “Do better.” As more people not only become aware but understand the impacts that the loss of the dams and the diversion will have on several communities, the more people are imploring government officials and PG&E to “Do better.” With such significant stakes at hand, and with all due respect to those who have worked tirelessly to negotiate a maintained diversion, continuing to advocate for a better solution is appropriate.
These topics feel so different, but they both embrace education and advocacy. When you think about it, those two themes are not mutually exclusive. When providing education through events like Ag Days and Farm Fest, we are not only creating the opportunity to connect and share our knowledge and experience with our community but also seeking trust and support. Similarly, when we advocate, we promote support for a cause, and through that effort, we inevitably educate.
