The fertile San Joaquin Valley boasts the richest agricultural economy on Earth, yet bears the burden of rampant unemployment, low education levels and pervasive poverty, primarily among the region's rural population.

In the next 40 years, the San Joaquin Valley population will double in size to 7 million. Is the valley prepared for such exponential growth?

This 4-part series explores the San Joaquin Valley by examining critical issues and key challenges that affect the future of our great Valley. Each of the four half-hour episodes examine a different concern in the San Joaquin Valley.

Part one: “The Future at Work”
An examination of the agricultural and construction industry’s workforce

Part two: “Health and Human Services”

Part three: “The Air Quality Outlook”

Part four: “Our Growing Concerns”
A look toward the future, examining the
population boom, infrastructure, land use, and water concerns.

Check the KVIE TV Schedule for date and times of episodes.

 

The series documents the work of the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, established by Governor Schwarzenegger and including representatives from eight counties from Kern to San Joaquin. KVIE Public Television cooperated with Valley Public Television/KVPT in Fresno who produced the series complementing regional planning efforts now underway.

Regional Planning Efforts in the San Joaquin Valley:
In an effort to increase the quality of life for valley residents, leaders from eight San Joaquin Valley counties formed the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley to work with the governor’s office and state cabinet members. The goals of the partnership include creating an entrepreneurial business climate in the valley, including greater access to capital; raising high school graduation rates and the number of advanced college degrees; identifying industries with growth potential to champion them for regional projects to increase the valley’s competitiveness; and maximizing the impact of public resources on the region’s economy while accelerating the growth of the “renewable” energy industry.

These economic development efforts are complemented by a Blueprint project. Each county in the San Joaquin Valley is using special software and GIS mapping of business centers, housing, public transit, highways and roads, and open space in the hopes that counties will set aside parks and open space for civic amenities; build community consensus on new housing locations; and determine how to connect workers with work places. The individual county plans will be interpolated by the Great Valley Center to create a blueprint for the entire San Joaquin Valley.

 

 

The series, a partnership between KVIE and KVPT Public Television, is underwritten by The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, the Grupe Company and the Union Pacific Foundation.