AB 1156: agricultural resilience for the Central Valley

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OPINION – As a former farmworker from California’s Central Valley, where I earned my education, I’ve seen the challenges facing our agricultural communities firsthand. Farming is our livelihood, our heritage, and the backbone of the local economy, especially for Hispanic families. But today, water scarcity and shifting markets are forcing us to adapt.

Assembly Bill 1156, authored by Assembly Member Buffy Wicks and now awaiting a decision by the Senate Appropriations Committee, offers a balanced path forward. It allows farmland under Williamson Act contracts to be temporarily converted to “solar-use easements” for solar and battery storage — but only on lands with poor soils, low productivity, or insufficient water for viable farming.

Critically, AB 1156 requires community benefit agreements to ensure that residents share in the rewards of these projects. These agreements can provide:

• Job training and employment for farmworkers
• Investments in farm youth programs and agricultural innovation
• Funding for groundwater recharge and water conservation
• Support for workers displaced by water scarcity.

For the Central Valley’s Hispanic community, which forms a significant part of the agricultural workforce, this is a real opportunity. It’s a way to transition from water-stressed farming into higher-wage clean energy jobs, without leaving our communities.

This bill also protects agriculture. By targeting marginal or water-limited land and requiring land restoration after projects conclude, AB 1156 ensures that our most productive farmland remains in production whenever possible.

AB 1156 isn’t about replacing farming with solar; it’s about making clever use of our land when farming isn’t viable and keeping our rural economies strong. With Senator Caballero’s leadership, we can make sure this transition benefits everyone.

It’s time to pass AB 1156 and secure a stronger, more resilient future for the Central Valley.

José L. Pérez is President and CEO of Hispanics in Energy, a community-driven, non-profit organization designed to facilitate Hispanic inclusion in America’s energy industry.