By Todd Manley Last week, Sacramento hosted the first-ever Terra Madre Festival in the United States, bringing together farmers, ranchers, conservationists, students, and community members to celebrate the connections between food, nature, and culture. Organized in partnership with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), the festival … Continue reading “Recognizing the Value of Ricelands During the Terra Madre Festival”

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By Kam Bezdek, NCWA Legislative Affairs Director This State Legislature adjourned the first year of its 2025-26 legislative session on September 18th at midnight. Governor Newsom faced a budget deficit for a third consecutive fiscal year and spent much of the calendar year managing the physical impact and total economic loss of the LA fires … Continue reading “Legislative Summary September 2025”

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By David Guy, NCWA President In his book LifePlace: Bioregional Thought and Practice, U.C. Davis Professor Robert Thayer offers a powerful framework for how we can live more meaningfully and sustainably by reconnecting with the places we inhabit. His central idea is that a “life-place” is more than just geography—it is a living system where … Continue reading “LifePlace and the Sacramento Valley: Rooting Our Future in Place “

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Last Friday, community leaders, farmers, and conservation partners joined together on the Sacramento River in Hamilton City to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District (GCID). Under the shade of tall trees and beside the district’s iconic 1,100-foot fish screen, the gathering both honored a century-plus legacy and looked forward to the work … Continue reading “Proud of the Past, Looking to the Future: Celebrating 105 Years of Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District “

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