Tule Trust Talks SERIES: #2
Frank, tell me about your background.
Frank Fernandes: I was born and raised in Tulare along with my eight siblings: Joey, Jeff, Greg, Jennifer, Gary, Jeremie, Jared, and Josh. In 1978, my brother Jeff passed away in a tragic car accident. My family didn’t have much, but my parents, Joe and Suzanne, did instill in us the values that helped us persevere: faith, family, and hard work. My parents encouraged us to pursue our passions in our education. I chose agriculture—that passion brought me back to Tulare after college.
For some time, my family dairied in Tulare, and farmed in Tipton and Woodville. When I came home from college, I helped grow the business with my parents and five brothers, eventually buying out my parents with my brothers. (My sisters Jennifer and Jeremie pursued agribusiness and elementary education, respectively.)
Around then, I found the love of my life, Diane. We raised Hayley, Maddie, and Frankie. In 2010, we faced our greatest life test when our youngest was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Again, faith and family saw us through the challenge.
Today, I’m still farming and dairying with my two younger brothers in Pixley and Tipton.
My parents encouraged us to pursue our passions in our education. I chose agriculture.
What’s your connection to the Tule Trust?
Frank Fernandes: I was presented with the idea of starting a trust with the purpose of idling less productive land in our GSA to help alleviate the challenges of SGMA and our decreasing groundwater supply. We didn't want to just idle the ground, we wanted to create a native landscape that would help benefit habitat and help balance a healthy ecosystem. All in hopes of preserving more productive farm ground to help meet the challenge of feeding a growing population in our country.
SGMA: What’s your experience with that as a farmer?
Frank Fernandes: Within the last couple years, we were able to secure our first property with the help of a grant: We purchased a 450+ acre ranch in the southwest corner of our district. Today, along with our local and state stakeholders, we’re restoring the land back to its native alkali scrub habitat.
What are your future goals for the Tule Trust—as a board member, and as a farmer in the Subbasin?
Frank Fernandes: As member of the board I hope to continue efforts to grow our trust by repurposing additional land into natural rainfall landscapes such as grazing pasture, recharge basins (on wet years) and dry habitat-friendly lands. Bottom line: We need to preserve production agriculture in the Tule subbasin. It’s not only vital to the local economy but the food produced here helps feed California, the rest of the country, and many other countries around the world.
As a farmer in the subbasin, I continue to do my part on my own farm—by adopting healthy practices like regenerative agriculture. It’s not only healthy for soil and the environment, but over time it can also help reduce water usage. In addition, it can reduce cultural cost (ie. fuel, fertilizers, chemical, and labor). I like to say, “Sometimes doing less is more.” So, if I want to continue the heritage I grew up in, it’s going to require necessary sacrifices. As a third-generation farmer, my hope is to see a future of agriculture production in the Tule subbasin for my own children.
If I want to continue the heritage I grew up in, it’s going to require necessary sacrifices. As a third-generation farmer, my hope is to see a future of agriculture production in the Tule subbasin for my own children.
What’s happening now—what can readers do to help?
Frank Fernandes: The Tule Trust still needs support from local farmers, resource agencies, and donors to bring the mission to fruition. Help us keep our farming heritage, while adapting to water restrictions and protecting natural habitat!
Every acre we protect and restore begins with you!
Donate today to keep our work going.
The Tule Basin Land and Water Conservation Trust is a 501(c)3 dedicated to protecting the southern San Joaquin Valley’s incredible natural resources and preserving a viable farming economy for the future generations.