Conservation and Efficient Use of Water

The Agent attended the USDA Water Conference in South Carolina to present the New Mexico Agent’s accomplishment with the Rio Grande Basin Initiative. This joint presentation gave a summary of the New Mexico agents work along the Rio Grande River.

The Agent hosted an AXED – Water issues class in Socorro. The Agent was able to provide guest speakers to talk on Water Rights, Hydrology of the River, and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. The session was set up for a two-day lecture and field trip. The instructor was very pleased with the program, and individuals within the class made comments about how much information the received and believed that the information was of high quality.

The Agent works with the Rio Grande Basin Initiative by setting up demonstration plots and gather data for producers to utilize. On going demonstrations on soil moisture techniques has accumulated over a variety of different crops. Alfalfa, Chile, and Pecans are all being evaluated for the correct frequency and timing of waters. A group of 18 Iraq producers visited Socorro County with the agent presenting information from these demonstrations and providing a field visit to Sichler Farms were there was drip irrigation and the utilization of the moisture sensors. Producers were able to see field conditions and can utilize information in growing similar crops in Iraq.

A Valencia County farmer and cooperator agreed to use a 1-acre parcel of his land he intended to farm raspberries and blackberries on as a demonstration on an alternative, low-cost, and energy-free (gravity fed) method of irrigation. In collaboration with NMSU specialists and funding from RGBI, an irrigation plan was drafted and implemented prior to planting. The demonstration showcases an adapted version of the low-head bubbler irrigation system, a low-input/cost method of irrigation, to irrigate crops. Despite minor design issues, pest, weed, and other cultural challenges, the demonstration is on its way to become a valuable resource to farmers seeking alternative methods of irrigated crops. Once finalized, this demonstration could be used by extension personnel to teach others how to utilize this relatively inexpensive and water efficient system for their property. Final evaluation of the project will be conducted in 2011.

Home-owners in the Valencia County vicinity participated in a workshop discussing practical ways to conserve water in their urban setting. Program participants were introduced to water-harvesting techniques using the RGBI Rainwater Harvesting Demonstration at the Valencia County office. Each participant was given a water conservation kit, which included shower timers, bucket, leak detector, and other miscellaneous supplies that could be used to improve water use efficiency within their home and landscape. Over half of program participants intended to use some form of landscape water harvesting and efficient irrigation methods discussed at the workshop, which included olla irrigation, rain barrel, runoff diversion, and drip irrigation. Additionally, when surveyed, all program participants agreed that the information provided was very useful, the presentations were excellent, and much knowledge was gained by attending this free workshop.