California agriculture confronts water scarcity, shifts toward solar and policy change

Gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton argued that California must end what he calls a "war on agriculture," urging the state to reduce regulations, rethink water policy, and invest in infrastructure to keep the $67 billion industry competitive. He highlighted the sector’s importance to the broader economy, comparing it to Silicon Valley and Hollywood.

At the same time, Central Valley growers are adapting to dwindling water supplies. Fifth‑generation farmer Todd Tracy has partnered with solar developer Avantus to build the Buttonbush solar‑plus‑storage project, which will eventually cover nearly 12,000 acres, generate two gigawatts of power and supply electricity to about one million homes. The shift reflects a broader trend as water allocations fell to just 45 % of historical levels, prompting farmers to repurpose dry fields for renewable energy.

Both the political push for agricultural reform and the practical move to solar illustrate how California’s water crisis is reshaping the state’s farming landscape.