An In-Depth Conversation with Executive Director Dusty Ference
Executive Director of the Kings County Farm Bureau.
As California agriculture faces mounting regulatory pressure, few voices have stepped forward as boldly as Dusty Ference, Executive Director of the Kings County Farm Bureau. In a recent interview with AgMeter, Ference detailed the Farm Bureau’s high-stakes legal battle with the State Water Resources Control Board, the impacts already felt across the state, and why this fight matters far beyond Kings County.
A Busy Year for Kings County Farm Bureau
Ference opened by describing an exceptionally active year—part of an even more challenging two-year stretch. With the Farm Bureau’s annual meeting scheduled for November 20, the organization will soon celebrate hard-earned successes and introduce newly elected officers to its Board of Directors.
Yet the most significant undertaking this year has been the Farm Bureau’s lawsuit against the State Water Resources Control Board. Filed in May 2024, the lawsuit challenges the Board’s decision to place the Tulare Lake Subbasin on probation and the process used to reach that decision.
Why Kings County Farm Bureau Sued the State Water Board
According to Ference, the Farm Bureau is “not fighting the law—SGMA itself—but fighting the State Water Board” over how the Board exercised its authority. The key concerns include:
- How and why the Tulare Lake Subbasin was placed on probation
- The Board’s failure to consider statutory elements, such as good actor provisions
- The lack of consistent, transparent, and statewide rules for SGMA compliance
Following the April 2024 probationary hearing, the Farm Bureau filed suit. A temporary restraining order landed in July, followed by an injunction in September restricting the Board from requiring groundwater well meters and pumping reports.
The State Water Board appealed immediately. In late October 2025, the appellate court ruled in the Board’s favor—an outcome Ference described as disappointing but far from final.
The Appellate Court Decision: A Setback, Not Defeat
Ference emphasized that the appellate ruling centered on technical legal questions—specifically whether the trial court judge issued the injunction correctly. While the court overturned the injunction and dismissed several causes of action, it also signaled that the Farm Bureau could seek a revised injunction from the trial court.
Notably, the Farm Bureau plans to request that the California Supreme Court review the appellate court’s decision to throw out key components of the case. Ference highlighted the statewide importance of Supreme Court rulings, which can set precedent affecting all California groundwater basins.
Why This Case Matters Statewide
Though Kings County is the Farm Bureau’s jurisdiction—covering Hanford, Lemoore, Corcoran, and Kettleman City—the impacts of the lawsuit have already rippled across California.
Ference explained:
- Good Actor Provision Reinstated Elsewhere
At Kings County’s 2024 hearing, GSAs were told good actor provisions did not apply. Months later, in the Tule Subbasin, two GSAs were granted good actor status—an outcome Ference believes was influenced by Kings County’s legal challenge. - Other Subbasins Avoiding Probation
Some basins initially scheduled for probationary hearings were redirected back to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) without explanation—another shift Ference links to court pressure generated by the Kings County case. - SGMA Rule Consistency
One of the lawsuit’s core objectives is forcing DWR and the State Water Board to apply SGMA rules consistently. Over the last decade, Ference said, standards and expectations have shifted unpredictably.
“How can you comply,” he asked, “if you don’t know what rules you’re trying to comply with?”
Protecting Farmers from Overreach
A central fear driving the lawsuit is the State Water Board’s limited toolkit. If the Board takes control of a basin, their main lever is restricting groundwater pumping—often drastically.
Ference warned that under State Water Board management:
- Pumping allocations would likely be sharply reduced
- Recharge and offset programs would not be implemented
- Local flexibility would disappear
- The economic viability of entire farming regions could be jeopardized
The Kings County Farm Bureau believes growers can achieve sustainability more effectively and responsibly than a one-size-fits-all regulatory mandate.
A Collective Effort Backed by a Fired-Up Farming Community
While Ference has become the public face of the fight, he stressed that he isn’t alone. The Farm Bureau’s 20-member Board of Directors, made up of growers and agriculturalists across Kings County, helped initiate and drive the lawsuit.
Their motivation:
Preventing overreaching regulatory agencies from imposing policies that could cripple both agriculture and the broader Kings County economy.
Growing Statewide Attention and Support
Since the appellate ruling, Ference said calls have poured in from concerned farmers, attorneys, and other Farm Bureaus across California. Although many were initially discouraged by the appellate decision, they quickly rallied around the broader mission:
- The case is not over
- The trial court still must hear major arguments
- The Supreme Court petition could reshape statewide SGMA implementation
“This case is bigger than Kings County,” Ference emphasized. “We’re doing this for agriculture all over California.”
What’s Next in the Legal Battle
Several major steps are now underway:
- Petitioning the California Supreme Court to review the appellate court’s dismissal of key claims
- Responding to the State Water Board’s October 31 announcement, which attempts to retroactively require pumping data and fees
- Preparing for the original trial, expected sometime next year
- Ongoing fundraising, as litigation costs continue to mount
Despite the challenges, Ference affirmed the Kings County Farm Bureau’s commitment to seeing the case through:
“We’re here, we’re up for the fight, and we’re going to see it through.”
How the Community Can Support the Fight
As the battle with the State Water Board continues, Ference emphasized the importance of broad community support. Anyone wishing to learn more or contribute can easily get involved. The Kings County Farm Bureau accepts online financial contributions, and supporters can call the office to arrange meetings or set up payment plans. Signing up for the Farm Bureau’s electronic newsletters is another way to stay connected and informed.
For those looking to help, Ference pointed listeners to www.kcfb.org, the primary hub for updates, involvement opportunities, and donation options.
Why Water Matters: Jobs, Community, and Economic Stability
Ference made it clear that California’s water is as crucial to the state’s economy as oil is to places like Taft. Without secure water supplies, the effects ripple outward:
- Jobs disappear
- Towns shrink or collapse
- Local economies destabilize
Kings County is particularly vulnerable. Ference referenced an economic impact report jointly produced by the Kings County Farm Bureau and the Kings Economic Development Corporation. Agriculture contributes $1 billion annually to the county and supports 15% of all local jobs. When factoring in a 1.47 economic multiplier, agriculture becomes responsible for an even larger portion of the community’s financial wellbeing.
Perhaps most striking, he noted that agriculture jobs in Kings County pay 13% higher than the county average, with salaries just over $65,000 per year—a testament to the industry’s strength and importance.
With no oil and gas, no major tourism, and no large-scale manufacturing, Kings County’s economic backbone is agriculture. “If we can’t keep farmers farming,” Ference warned, “we’re going to turn this place into a ghost town overnight.”
The Bigger Picture: Food Security and Global Standards
Ference stressed a message that often gets lost in state-level debates: California feeds the world. The state produces the safest, freshest, and most abundant food supply anywhere. Losing California agriculture would have global repercussions.
Importing food from countries with lower safety standards, fewer labor protections, and weaker regulations is not equivalent to homegrown production. Ference highlighted that California farmers comply with more regulations than any growers in the world—and they still produce top-quality food.
Without local farmers, consumers face:
- Less fresh produce
- Lower safety standards
- Increased dependence on foreign imports
- Higher long-term costs and reduced transparency
Educating the Next Generation
When asked about agricultural education, Ference said the Kings County Farm Bureau once played a larger role in school programs, but limited staffing makes that difficult today. Still, they work closely with strong community partners who help keep agriculture visible and relevant:
- Kings County Office of Education, which organizes local Farm Day events for grade school students
- FFA programs, which provide hands-on agricultural leadership opportunities for junior high and high school students
Ference underscored how essential it is for young people to understand where food comes from and what modern agriculture looks like. Today’s farms depend on advanced technology—from drones to autonomous tractors to sophisticated electronic systems. Keeping students engaged ensures a strong future workforce and informed community.
The Reality of Modern Dairies
While dairy remains a major component of Kings County agriculture, Ference shared that the number of dairies has decreased in recent years. However, the total number of cows hasn’t declined. Farmers have simply become more efficient:
- More milk is produced on fewer acres
- Better technology boosts productivity
- The sector continues to meet global demand with a smaller footprint
And, again, California’s dairy products meet the highest safety and quality standards anywhere in the world.
Competing with Imports and Promoting California Grown
Ference addressed a growing concern: the U.S. currently faces a food trade deficit exceeding $35 billion, meaning more food is imported than exported. Many imported products come from countries using chemicals or materials banned in California.
Retailers and consumers need to understand the difference. California-grown food may cost more, but it is safer, fresher, and produced with strict environmental and labor standards. Ference called for a level playing field and stronger support for local producers.
Taking the Fight to Sacramento and Washington
When dealing with lawmakers who may have never stepped foot on a farm, Ference said the most effective strategy is getting them out into the field. Seeing real farms—and meeting the long-term employees who have become family—dispels the misconceptions often repeated in the media or political circles.
Ference emphasized that California farmers value and invest in their employees. Many workers have been with the same farm for 20 or 30 years, and farms often support multiple generations of families.
Unfortunately, these stories are often overshadowed by inaccurate narratives. Improving understanding among policymakers is essential to protecting agriculture.
A Message to California’s Ag Community
As the interview drew to a close, Ference thanked listeners for their support and urged them to stay informed and engaged. The lawsuit, he said, “is going to benefit everybody in California, growers and residents.”
He encouraged the public to visit www.kcfb.org or call 559-584-3557 to learn more, sign up for updates, or contribute to the ongoing legal fight.
“This doesn’t happen in a bubble,” he said. “If you can support us, we really appreciate it.”
AgMeter concluded by praising Ference for stepping up when California needed leadership most. The Kings County Farm Bureau remains committed to keeping farmers farming—and ensuring California’s future remains strong.