When it comes to discussing the status of water in the Central Valley, longtime Madera farmer Denis Prosperi is passionate about the subject.
Prosperi contends that the main problem for our water situation is that our leaders just don’t understand the severity of the problem.
“It’s like losing your job,” Prosperi said. “You’re not going to go broke tomorrow because you have a savings account. When your savings account is dried up, then it’s all over. Our savings account is almost dried up.”
Prosperi, who owns about 700 acres of wine grapes and almonds in Madera County, has been farming since he was 17 — more than 43 years. He spent some time on a water board for the Madera County Board of Supervisors before it was disbanded...