2021’s most interesting | “We’re still in a drought in California, folks.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: The 21st year of the millennium was expected to be a time of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of normal, 2021 gave us more of the same as 2020 with vaccinations, face mask requirements and more COVID-19 deaths. There were people who stood out during the year because of their work, accomplishments or their impact. Vida en el Valle selected the 10 most interesting people of 2021. Here is No. 7:

When it came to explaining the drought’s impact on the Valley’s vibrant but fragile agricultural economy, no one did it better than second-generation organic cantaloupe farmer Joe Del Bosque, whose operation west of Firebaugh regularly draws politicians and reporters hoping to learn about the drought and other woes plaguing the industry.

Google his name and you’ll get 26.7 million results. Foreigners – both journalists and public officials – have visited his 5,000 acres where he also grows almonds, asparagus, and squash.

His Twitter account (Westside Farmer) has almost 5,000 followers.

Want to know about COVID-19 vaccinations and farmworkers, Joe’s your guy.

Want to know about immigration reform, Joe’s your guy.

Want to identify a plant or see authentic Mexican cuisine, Joe’s your guy.

Heck, he even sent an invitation to then-President Barack Obama to witness the impact of the drought in 2014.

The drought continues, despite the recent record snowfall in the Sierra and rain in the Valley.

“Unfortunately, much of the excess flood released in Northern California will flow to the ocean,” Del Bosque Tweeted Monday. “We can’t capture these storm flows due to ESA actions in the Delta. (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s) hands are tied. We’re still in a drought in California, folks.”

In an interview with a Sacramento Bee reporter this fall, he explained his woes that are much like those of other farmers. After tearing out an asparagus field due to lack of water, Del Bosque was figuring out if 150 acres of almonds would be next due to low prices and the high cost of water.

“It’s a tough decision to pull out these orchards,” he said. “But what do you do? We’re thinking of ways to survive.”

Two years ago, he paid $250 per acre-foot for Central Valley Project water. This year, he had to go farther north to purchase water from irrigation districts north of the Sacramento-San Joaquín Delta for $750 per acre-foot.

Check your social media to see what the 72-year-old Del Bosque – who turned down a chance at becoming a dentist to go into farming – does next.