Conservation and Efficient Use of Water

Agent collaborates NRCS to increase the amount of producers utilizing water saving methods. Producers can recieve 75% cost share on projects that increase the water efficiency in Socorro County. Many methods utilized for cost/share are lazer leveling, ditch lining, and proper turnout size. Each year 20% of the producers implement some kind of water savings method. Much of the agents work is on irrigation timing and frequency. There is not much concern over timing until water is limiting in the Irrigation District. The past two years there has been adequate water. However, one producer has continued to serve as a pioneer and example developing drip irrigation over more acreage each year.

Agent has learned how to utilize advanced technology, like the HOBO data loggers to increase the accuracy of data collection. Research utilizing the tool will be conducted starting in March. Data was also analyzed by agent to be reflected in documentation to public.

Kyle Tator has signed on to support Conservation and Efficient Use of Water within Valencia County.

Based on the objective to teach residents about the importance of proper plant selection to water conservation in the urban landscape, 50 participants will repot a 35% gain in knowledge following a presentation.

Impact: Two presentations on proper plant selection were offered to the general public using local nurserymen as guest speakers. Two hundred eleven attended the presentations which consisted of slide shows of plants which are well adapted to the Los Alamos landscape. There was also discussion of the planting and maintenance of these plants. One hundred eighty-two of the participants reported at least a 60% gain in knowledge about adapted plants. (2007)

Based on the objective to teach residents about irrigation scheduling, 25 residents will show a 65% increase in knowledge after attending an irrigation scheduling workshop.

Impact: Twelve residents participated in a workshop offered by the NMSU turf specialist on subsurface drip irrigation on turf, completing an irrigation water audit and irrigation scheduling for turf. All twelve of the participants indicated that they had at least an 80% increase in knowledge about irrigation scheduling and demonstrated new skills by completing a water audit in a nearby residential neighborhood and completing an irrigation schedule for the property. Four of the participants later borrowed equipment to complete water audits of their own properties.