The County should support programs designed to increase agricultural water use efficiency and secure long-term water supplies for agriculture.
Climate Action Plan
AG-5.3 Electric- or Renewable- Powered Irrigation Pumps
The County shall encourage farmers to convert fossil fuel-powered irrigation pumps to systems powered by electric or renewable energy sources, such as solar-power, and encourage electric utilities to eliminate or reduce stand-by charges.
AG-5.4 Alternative Irrigation Techniques
The County shall encourage farmers to continue and enhance the water-saving irrigation techniques designed to reduce water consumption.
AG-5.5 Carbon Farming Practices
The County shall encourage and support the efforts of resource conservation districts, farmers, and other stakeholders to expand carbon farming practices, such as reduced tilling, covercropping, composting, biochar, and other activities that both reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increase carbon sequestration and storage, when feasible.
AG-6.1 Monitor Climate Change Research
The County shall support and monitor research on the effects of a changing climate on the agricultural industry within Ventura County.
AG-6.2 Crop Resiliency
The County shall engage the agricultural sector to understand the tolerance of current crop mixes to withstand the impacts of climate change, including increased temperatures, disease, and pests, and explore options to diversify crops.