Young Farmers & Ranchers tour highlights Redlands’ agricultural history, water stewardship

J.P. Beall, Special to Community Forward Redlands

REDLANDS, Calif. – The Bear Valley Mutual Water Company recently welcomed members of the San Bernardino County Farm Bureau, Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R), and the public for an insightful tour and presentation on the history and critical role of water stewardship in supporting Redlands agriculture.

George Hanson, General Manager of Bear Valley Mutual Water Company, led the event with a slideshow presentation that delved into the company’s storied past. Hanson shared the legacy of Frank Brown, founder of both the city of Redlands and Bear Valley Mutual Water Company, who constructed the first Big Bear Dam to secure a reliable water source for local agriculture.

Attendees also learned about Herbert Garstin, a Hawaiian fruit grower who moved to Redlands to join its thriving citrus industry. Garstin, who served as President of Bear Valley during the construction of the second and current single-arch Big Bear Dam in the 1910s, helped oversee what formed the world's largest man-made lake at that time, built solely to support Redlands' agricultural needs.

He also talked about how it was Bear Valley Mutual Water Company’s water that flowed through Almerian Decker’s and Fulton Ferraud’s hydroelectric plant at Mill Creek Power House #1 (completed in 1893), the first three-phase hydroelectric power plant in the country and the first power generation facility to make use of transformers to interconnect with the electrical grid at a time when much of the American West was still using kerosene lamps and natural gas.

The presentation covered the unique water share system that has sustained Redlands for generations. Hanson explained how these shares are often purchased with properties, with owners not understanding what they even are. However, they provide incredible benefits, including parks, cemeteries, homes with large gardens, and, of course, local grove owners and farmers.

A major point of emphasis was the use of sustainable, non-potable water sources by farmers in the area rather than relying on expensive, state-supplied drinking water that has driven farmers out of business in other parts of California. Hanson highlighted how Redlands' location within an adjudicated water basin, with rights to its own water, protects the region from some aspects of water politics that impact much of the state but also exposes it to others. He stressed the importance of good and active stewardship to ensure these vital resources remain available for future generations.

Those who own water shares and are looking to learn more about them and the benefits attached are encouraged to contact Bear Valley Mutual Water Company, which is the best source of information on any outstanding water shares in the Redlands area.

The tour was attended by Farm Bureau board members, board members of the Redlands mutual water companies within the Bear Valley umbrella, YF&R members from both San Bernardino and Riverside counties, and members of the public passionate about supporting local agriculture. The event was organized by the YF&R Steering Committee, continuing its series of tours that showcase the diversity and innovation of the region’s agricultural community.

“The State of California recognizes this area as containing some of the best farmland in the state. This surprises people because I think many take farming here for granted,” said John P. Beall of the YF&R Steering Committee. “There are a lot of great things that can be done or are already happening here in agriculture, and we want to help people experience it. And if people want to get started on an idea, we want to help with that too. Oftentimes, the biggest perceived obstacle is figuring out how to begin.”

Those interested in attending future events should monitor the Young Farmers and Ranchers of San Bernardino County Instagram page @yfrofsbco for further information. Membership is available to farmers and non-farmers who are simply interested in the area’s agriculture. To learn more, visit https://sbfarmbureau.com/.

The Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee is a program for agriculturalists between the ages of 18 and 35 involved in production, banking, business, and many other areas of the industry. YF&R provides opportunities to develop leadership skills through involvement in Farm Bureau at the county, state, and national levels.

The San Bernardino County Farm Bureau is a nonprofit organization supported by farmers, ranchers, growers, and business support members and is one of 53 county Farm Bureaus in California. Established in 1917, the San Bernardino County Farm Bureau advocates on behalf of family farmers and serves the needs of the agricultural community through public relations, education, and public policy advocacy to promote the economic viability of agriculture balanced with appropriate management of natural resources.