The San Joaquin Wetlands Farm is a 658-acre ranch enrolled in FSA's Conservation Reserve Program. The unique landscape provides a rare glimpse into California's Central Valley past.

The ranch is located on the San Joaquin River and includes an original oxbow of the waterway. Manager Bob Nardi has worked tirelessly to develop brood ponds and food plots for waterfowl resulting in a magnificent riparian area that included a restoration of more than 100 acres of cropland back into native habitat, and partnering with the local irrigation district to build a desilting pond for drain water runoff.

Vanishing tree species such as cottonwood and native valley oaks are abundant throughout the property which is home to one of the largest wood duck nesting programs in the state. More than 200 wood duck nesting boxes are located in CRP areas on the ranch and the annual hatch ranges from 800 to 1,300 ducklings. An extensive bird banding program is also in place to monitor the population.

In managing the ranch, Nardi takes advantage of its prime location to mimic the historic seasonal ebb and flow of water which occurred in the Central Valley prior to settlement. In addition, Nardi uses agricultural drain water and pumps to maintain summer brood ponds which provide protection for waterfowl and their insect food sources. The ranch uses a minimum tillage, low input approach to growing small wildlife food plots of wheat, corn, vetch and milo.

As awe-inspiring as the result is, Nardi notes that there are definite hurdles to operating wetland habitat in the middle of farmland, and being located adjacent to the small town of Grayson. The reduction of irrigation water runoff as the result of improved conservation efforts is a big one since there is a need for water nearly year round. Other concerns include mosquito abatement, silt problems and the control of undesirable plant species such as Hyacinth. But in spite of these challenges, the efforts at the San Joaquin Wetlands farm have produced an amazing balance of plant and animal wildlife including various species of ducks and shore birds, quail, hawks, screech owls, raccoons, minks, cottontail rabbits and ferrets to name a few.

Under the CRP program, the two contracted tracts earn the owners $22 per acre - totaling $12,914 per year. This helps to offset the operational costs for the landowners who must spend more than $15,000 annually in fuel costs alone to operate the four pumps on the ranch. The owners also incur expenses for establishing food plots and maintaining the property. This has meant the hiring of a full-time care-taker in addition to the services of Nardi. Since the land is not in agricultural production or part of a commercial hunting operation, CRP funds help make this restoration possible.

Wetlands restored through CRP

San Joaquin Wetlands Farm developed brood ponds and food plots for waterfowl

More than 200 wood duck nesting boxes are located on CRP acres

Farm manager Bob Nardi shows one of the many wood duck boxes on the San Joaquin Wetlands Farm

Annual wood duck hatch on San Joaquin Farm ranges from 800 to 1,300 ducklings.

Wetlands are managed to mimic seasonal ebb and flow of water as it occurred in the Central Valley before settlement

Restored habitat and waterway provide a rare glimpse into California's Central Valley of the past.

Cottonwood and native valley oaks provide habitat for one of the largest wood duck programs in California