MAGSA is partnering with Fresno State’s Center for Irrigation Technology to offer a Grower Irrigation Academy, providing local farmers with practical tips on improving irrigation efficiency and nutrition management. The Academy includes a series of workshops and field days, with the following upcoming events in November.
(more…)The public scoping period for the Aquaterra Water Bank is nearing its close. MAGSA is inviting comments from residents, property owners, and stakeholders to address issues they believe should be covered in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The project description and Notice of Preparation (NOP) are available here for review.
A scoping meeting was held on September 18, 2024, which included a project overview and discussions on potential environmental effects. If you missed the meeting, you can access the recording and presentation slides below:
Please submit your comments on the scope of the EIR by October 5, 2024.
Groundwater is a vital resource for landowners in the McMullin Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency (MAGSA) and across the state of California. In this blog post, we’ll return to the basics, answering questions about the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act that led to the creation of agencies like MAGSA, the dangers of over pumping groundwater, and strategies for replenishing the reserve of water beneath our feet.
(more…)Ever wondered how soil structure, organic matter content, and soil compaction impacts water retention? 💧
Farms in the MAGSA region have diverse soil conditions and varying irrigation water requirements. This video, created by Fresno State’s Center Irrigation Technology for the Grower Irrigation Academy, provides an overview of soil-water relationships to assist you in applying the optimal amount of water for your farm’s specific soil conditions.
After watching this video on understanding your farm’s soil-water content, you will be able to more quickly identify your essential soil parameters for efficient irrigation scheduling.
(more…)At the July meeting, MAGSA board members voted to reappoint Don Cameron as the agency’s Board Chair and Matt Abercrombie as Vice Chair for the next fiscal year. During the same meeting, the MAGSA Board adopted the 2024-25 Fiscal Year Budget. This budget along with past fiscal year budgets can be viewed on the MAGSA website here.
(more…)Students from California State University, Fresno have been hard at work with the Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT) developing a soil map and soil database for MAGSA growers as part of the Grower Irrigation Academy!
How to use the soil map and soil database: The interactive soil map allows MAGSA growers to click their parcel and find out what soil types they have on their farm. Then, the grower can then input their soil type in the new soil database and read detailed information about those soil types. This information includes depth, organic matter content, available water capacity, and percentage of sand, silt, and clay in the soil. Growers can export this information as a file for future reference.
(more…)Many growers in the McMullin Area GSA (MAGSA) have already installed their meter and telemetry equipment. If that is you, thank you for staying ahead of the January 31, 2025 deadline and working toward the long-term sustainability of groundwater in our region. For those who have not begun the process, we encourage you to line up your order now with your irrigation dealer, so you can avoid the post-harvest rush that is sure to happen. This also helps you avoid potential supply chain issues and equipment price increases. Visit www.mcmullinarea.org/rebate to learn more about MAGSA’s meter and telemetry requirements and how to access financial assistance through MAGSA’s Meter and Telemetry Rebate Program.
(more…)With MAGSA’s meter and telemetry installation deadline approaching on January 31, 2025 and the busyness of harvest approaching, MAGSA is encouraging landowners to place their equipment orders with their irrigation dealers as soon as possible to avoid the post-harvest rush. To answer questions about meter and telemetry policies, requirements, and financial assistance offered through the Rebate Program, MAGSA hosted two landowner events on June 25, 2024.
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The Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT) at California State University, Fresno and MAGSA are partnering to launch the first Grower Irrigation Academy, a program designed to support MAGSA farmers in implementing efficient irrigation and nutrition management practices. The Grower Irrigation Academy will provide growers with workshops, webinars, videos, field days, and interactive tools focused on:
→ Collecting and interpreting soil and water sensor data
→ Regulated deficit irrigation strategies and tools, tailored for the MAGSA area
→ Irrigation system maintenance
→ Soil field capacity, permanent wilting point, and other information about soil-water-plant-atmosphere relationships
→ Fertilizer recommendations that meet local guidelines
Landowners in the McMullin Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency (MAGSA) have begun installing meters and telemetry and applying for rebates through the Meter and Telemetry Rebate Program.
MAGSA landowners with wells producing more than 2 acre-feet of water annually are required to install meters on those wells by January 31, 2025. MAGSA policy also states that remote telemetry is an additional requirement.
To lessen the financial burden of these requirements, MAGSA has designed a Meter and Telemetry Rebate Program. The Rebate Program provides financial assistance (approximately a 40% rebate) to landowners to complete the meter and telemetry installation requirements. The rebate program includes a discount on a 1-year subscription for monitoring. MAGSA has also negotiated a discount on the cost of a meter and installation with some local irrigation companies. For an updated list of irrigation dealers offering discounts and to learn more about the Meter and Telemetry Rebate Program, click the button below.