Ag Water Conservation Symposium

This symposium will address a variety of issues at the center of agricultural water conservation. It will begin by providing an overview of water use in the U.S. and will conclude by identifying new research and outreach opportunities for agricultural water conservation. Selected speakers will discuss issues concerning the agronomic, cropping system, irrigation, and water delivery approaches for agricultural water conservation. Additionally, the symposium will address agricultural water conservation impacts on in-stream flows, review producer responses to water conservation initiatives, and identify economic incentives for agricultural water conservation. During the course of the afternoon, economic and policy opportunities / challenges surrounding agricultural water conservation will be addressed. Throughout the symposium, speakers will provide opinions concerning the current and future role of Cooperative Extension and University research in ag water conservation and discuss strategies for implementing conservation activities through potential funding, partnering, and leveraging opportunities.

Agenda

1:00pm: Introduction – Troy Bauder, CSU

1:15pm: Agronomic and cropping system approaches for ag water conservation

Speaker: Neil Hansen, CSU

1:45pm: Irrigation and water delivery approaches for ag water conservation

Speaker: Brent Esplin, USBR (Montana)

2:15pm: Ag water conservation effects on in-stream flows

Speaker: Jim Bauder, Montana State Univ

2:45pm: Break

3:00pm: Producer response and economic incentives for ag water conservation

Speaker: Bill Golden, Kansas State University

3:30pm: Economic and policy opportunities and challenges surrounding ag water conservation 

Speaker: John Eckhart, Imperial Irrigation District (California)

4:00pm: Panel questions / comments

5:00pm: End Session