Jose Politron is the farm manager for Grower’s Transplanting, a greenhouse operation that focuses on vegetable transplants and ornamentals.  Jose graduated from the University of Mexico City with his degree in Agronomy.  Upon moving to the United States he became the farm manager for the company.  He currently manages multiple ranches which have locations in Salinas and Santa Maria. 

Jose attended the Farm Water Quality Planning Short Course in 2005 and became knowledgeable about water quality concerns.  He immediately took action and pinpointed locations on one of his operations where projects can be implemented to improve the overall water quality of the operation and the watershed.

The Farm Bureau staff assisted Jose with his Farm Plan and was sure to outline strategies and steps for the coming few years.  Reviewing existing strategies indicated that there are already many good water quality practices in place.  All beds have an underground conveyance system which leads into lined collection basins.  These basins flow into a ditch at the edge of the ranch.  From following the flow of water off the farm it was determined that this particular waterway is the best location to implement a vegetated treatment system.  The first step of this process was to contact the Resource Conservation District (RCD) and discuss the possibility of introducing a grassed waterway on this ditch bank.

Jose met with the RCD and discussed general ideas, vegetation options and watershed concerns.  After multiple follow-up meetings, plans were developed and were presented to the grower.  The Farm Bureau and Jose have been working with the other growers in the area on this proposal.  The ditch runs between Grower’s Transplanting and another operation which has been active in the project management discussion.  The neighboring farm is excited that his neighbors are interested in continuing to be good stewards of the land and the watershed.  So much so that they are looking into implementing these same management practices and are interested in expanding the project to include his portion of the ditch.

In addition to working with the RCD, Jose signed up to participate in the Regional Ag Mobil Lab for 2006 services.  These services include nutrient management, irrigation management and pump testing which is being funded through a grant from the Santa Clara Valley Water District.  Jose feels that getting results from current practices will help him in the future once his ditch project is complete. 

This is not a project that will benefit only one grower but is a water quality practice that has manifested itself to include multiple operations and benefit the watershed as a whole.  The collaboration of the partners is a prime example of how technical assistance, outreach coordinators and growers can work together to improve the water quality of a watershed.