Some of the most consequential decisions he was involved in grew out of that philosophy. One example was Arvin-Edison’s agreement with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to store Metropolitan’s water in the district. The arrangement drew criticism at the time, and Camp remembers opponents saying the district was effectively “dealing with the devil.” But Camp saw it differently. Metropolitan would pay for facilities as well as the storage and pumping of its water. The infrastructure would also provide benefits to Arvin-Edison. The important part, Camp explained, was making sure the contracts were structured so everyone understood the rules and there was no opportunity for anyone to play games later. The controversial arrangement went on to become a long-term success. “It was another example of why water leadership requires more than knowing the rules. Sometimes, it requires being willing to take criticism and pursue an idea that isn’t popular,” Camp said. Three Decades with Western Growers Camp’s relationship with Western Growers stretches back more than three decades. He joined the organization’s Board of Directors in 1994 and served as Chair in 2003. His family business has been a Western Growers member for more than five decades. What kept him involved for so long was Western Growers’ ability to take on difficult issues and “actually do something” about them. “Western Growers was an organization that could take on the hard things and affect them,” he said. He remembers traveling to Washington, D.C., during Tom Nassif’s early years as President and watching Western Growers
work to raise the profile of specialty crops in federal policy. That work was important to Camp because California’s agricultural landscape doesn’t fit neatly into the traditional federal focus on commodities, such as corn, soybeans and wheat. “The West has a different mix of crops, climates, soils and challenges. Water, labor, regulation and production costs can look very different for a specialty crop grower,” he said. Camp appreciated that Western Growers was willing to put people and resources behind those issues, even when doing so was difficult. “When Western Growers came to town for a meeting, training or other event, it wasn’t simply another meeting on the calendar,” Camp said. “It was for a purpose. That was always Western Growers. It was always meaningful and helpful.” What Agriculture Gave Him Despite all the challenges, Camp doesn’t sound like a man who regrets choosing agriculture. His father taught him early that farming is a business and that a farmer shouldn’t become so attached to a piece of property that he is unwilling to change. Camp also learned that agriculture can be a lifestyle. And for him, it was a good one. He raised his family on the farm. Kaye, whom he describes as a “city girl,” came to love farm life, too. Now, their grandchildren get that same exposure when they visit. “There is also something satisfying about producing something tangible,” Camp said. “Most of the world is service oriented. We’re still creating food, making food.” And of course, there are the people.
Edwin Camp alongside the water, an apt setting for someone whose career has been deeply connected to California’s water and agricultural issues.
28 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com October – December 2026
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