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Water is disbursed to trees from various pumps situated inside the grove via piping that runs along the ground. The water used to irrigate crops comes from the Sierra Nevada mountains, whereas groundwater which is contaminated by decades of fertilizer and pesticide use and nitrate runoff from dairies, is the source of local drinking water. A typical orange grove in the Central Valley. Water is disbursed to trees from various pumps situated inside the grove via piping that runs along the ground. The water used to irrigate crops comes from the Sierra Nevada mountains, whereas groundwater which is contaminated by decades of fertilizer and pesticide use and nitrate runoff from dairies, is the source of local drinking water. https://storage.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/c7nk7dlv_ysat0eik_mmxgzm_peachgroveshadow3-6001.jpg A fruit orchard lies dormant after the harvest. The Central Valley produces much of the fruit, vegetables and nuts that we eat domestically and export, including peaches, apricots, grapes, walnuts, olives and pomegranates. A fruit orchard lies dormant after the harvest. The Central Valley produces much of the fruit, vegetables and nuts that we eat domestically and export, including peaches, apricots, grapes, walnuts, olives and pomegranates. https://storage.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/c7nk7dlv_ysat0eik_s6u88s_valerianawatercolor-8735.jpg Valeriana, a local community organizer in her home in Tooleville, where the drinking water is not safe for human consumption. Valeriana, a local community organizer in her home in Tooleville, where the drinking water is not safe for human consumption. https://storage.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/c7nk7dlv_ysat0eik_eqnagm_cropwaterbirds-8272.jpg A reservoir, intended only for crop irrigation, winds its way through fruit groves. The pristine water is sourced from the Sierra Nevada mountains. Such water is not accessible to local communities for drinking water. A reservoir, intended only for crop irrigation, winds its way through fruit groves. The pristine water is sourced from the Sierra Nevada mountains. Such water is not accessible to local communities for drinking water. https://storage.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/c7nk7dlv_ysat0eik_fpr1c3_dirtypipefield8214a.jpg In Seville, a community of a few hundred people in the Central Valley, this pipe delivers drinking water to local residents. Though Seville's water tank was just retrofitted, some of the local piping that runs through the town is decrepit and exposed to the elements. In Seville, a community of a few hundred people in the Central Valley, this pipe delivers drinking water to local residents. Though Seville's water tank was just retrofitted, some of the local piping that runs through the town is decrepit and exposed to the elements. https://storage.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/c7nk7dlv_ysat0eik_w4elxf_bigpiperusted3-9062.jpg A corroded pipe, one of many commonly found in community drinking water systems throughout the Central Valley. A corroded pipe, one of many commonly found in community drinking water systems throughout the Central Valley. https://storage.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/c7nk7dlv_ysat0eik_i2862b_becky-8238.jpg Becky Quintana, a grassroots organizer, has been advocating for clean water for many years, starting in her hometown of Seville. Becky Quintana, a grassroots organizer, has been advocating for clean water for many years, starting in her hometown of Seville. https://storage.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/c7nk7dlv_ysat0eik_m9y7fg_attorneypresenting2-8601.jpg Over the past few years, the Community Water Center has organized local residents to raise awareness on the health impacts of drinking water and to advocate at a state and local level for change. As one outgrowth of CWC's engagement, residents have begun to focus on other issues affecting them by further organizing and tapping into resources that could bring about greater awareness and changes. In recent years, residents of Cutler-Orosi (towns in the Central Valley where many immigrant farm workers live) have come together under the group "Vecinos Unidos," or Neighbors United, and meet regularly in public spaces. On the evening when I visited, a local attorney presented on and answered questions regarding immigration policies, no small issue in the San Joaquin Valley. Over the past few years, the Community Water Center has organized local residents to raise awareness on the health impacts of drinking water and to advocate at a state and local level for change. As one outgrowth of CWC's engagement, residents have begun to focus on other issues affecting them by further organizing and tapping into resources that could bring about greater awareness and changes. In recent years, residents of Cutler-Orosi (towns in the Central Valley where many immigrant farm workers live) have come together under the group "Vecinos Unidos," or Neighbors United, and meet regularly in public spaces. On the evening when I visited, a local attorney presented on and answered questions regarding immigration policies, no small issue in the San Joaquin Valley. https://storage.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/c7nk7dlv_ysat0eik_azpha2_quevedo1-8543.jpg Jesus Quevedo, an activist who has deep roots to his community, looks on during a community gathering. He is one of many who have spoken out against contamination of local drinking water. Jesus Quevedo, an activist who has deep roots to his community, looks on during a community gathering. He is one of many who have spoken out against contamination of local drinking water. https://storage.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/c7nk7dlv_ysat0eik_bhomlf_orange3color.jpg Orange covered in kaolin clay, a type of pesticide, which is deemed innocuous by many in the industry when compared to other pesticides that are not as visible. The clay, applied generously to the crops, to the point where they look like they have been doused in white paint, is intended to shield crops from sunburn. I took this photo to illustrate the inputs to our food and how these inputs may have wider environmental impacts. Most of us, especially we who live in urban surroundings, are often not aware of how our food is grown and are not well equipped to understand the broader impacts of our food options. As many fertilizers and pesticides are not visible, this photo is also intended to show what our food would look like, still connected to the vine, if we could see all chemicals and substances applied to it. Orange covered in kaolin clay, a type of pesticide, which is deemed innocuous by many in the industry when compared to other pesticides that are not as visible. The clay, applied generously to the crops, to the point where they look like they have been doused in white paint, is intended to shield crops from sunburn. I took this photo to illustrate the inputs to our food and how these inputs may have wider environmental impacts. Most of us, especially we who live in urban surroundings, are often not aware of how our food is grown and are not well equipped to understand the broader impacts of our food options. As many fertilizers and pesticides are not visible, this photo is also intended to show what our food would look like, still connected to the vine, if we could see all chemicals and substances applied to it.