Don't let ag become an afterthought in Modesto  April 29, 2013 
The Modesto Irrigation District was built as a publicly owned
utility by farmers for farmers in 1887. The district delivered
irrigation water in 1904. Power generation electrical service
started in 1923. The electricity is sold as a byproduct to
subsidize the overall cost of the total operation. Until
recently the electric rates have been among the lowest in the
country. Modesto city water is also sold at the same rate as
agricultural water.  To see the errors of the direction we are
heading, look to the failings of the Salt River Project in
Arizona. The result is one of the largest urban megalopolises in
the United States, which is plundering the Colorado watershed
and any other source of water in the Southwestern states. It is
golf courses and retirement communities. Agriculture is barely
surviving or near dead.  Question for the MID: How does the
Oakdale Irrigation District deliver much more water to its
farmers for many less dollars?     Com