Eric Anderson believes the state of California needs a water system that’s capable of serving farmers and an increasing population, so he drove his tractor about 500 miles from his family farm near San Diego to the state capitol in Sacramento to draw attention to the problem.

“Sometimes, I wonder if anyone in Sacramento is listening,” says Anderson, the sole proprietor of Anderson’s Seed Company in Escondido, Calif. “We have farmers across the state and right here in San Diego County who have had their water supplies slashed. While farmers get their livelihoods threatened, all we get from Sacramento is partisan bickering.”

Anderson, who’s pictured driving his tractor through San Marcos on his way to Sacramento late last week, sent a letter to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger before he started his journey explaining the negative impact of the mandatory 30 percent water reduction restrictions on his family farm. Only farmers like Anderson, whose operation participates in the Interim Agricultural Water Program, are affected by the restrictions; golf courses and residences can use all the water they want.

So, Anderson started his journey May 22 and arrived in Sacramento four days later as planned. He was slowed by an alternator that needed repairs, a battery that died and rain that pelted him after trucks speeding by drenched him, but Anderson still reached his destination.

To read more about Anderson’s journey, click here.