Agricultural Water Conservation in the Northern Plains and Mountains Region

Agriculture consumes an estimated 90% of available water resources in the western US. Given that future water needs for a growing population will come from agriculture, it is becoming increasingly urgent for water users and policy-makers to understand and implement agricultural water conservation. The Northern Plains and Mountains (NPM) Water Team addressed the need for increased knowledge, understanding and adoption of agricultural water conservation through two innovative web-based projects. The first is an Agricultural Water Conservation Clearinghouse (AWCC). The AWCC is designed as a one-stop location for the latest news, literature and tools regarding agriculture water conservation. The centerpiece of this online clearinghouse is a comprehensive library, which identifies published resource materials on all aspects of agricultural water conservation. The AWCC Library database encompasses refereed journal articles, books, reports, theses and dissertations, conference proceedings, and contains over 2,100 entries. The library has been searched by over 10,700 users since it was unveiled in 2008. Building the AWCC through partnerships, the NPM team has formed relationships with several irrigation and water-related organizations. These partnerships have increased access to proceedings and reports published through these organizations. Dove tailing with the AWCC, the NPM Water Team has also increased the knowledge level of consultants and agency personnel that influence decision making by growers. To accomplish this, we have published a series of online, self-study modules for the professional Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) recertification and proficiency program. Since the fall of 2009, over 40 CCA’s have demonstrated increased knowledge of limited irrigation and irrigation water quality by correctly answering 70% of the questions built into the modules. Over 75% of CCA’s completing post module surveys indicated that they utilize knowledge gained from the series while advising their farmer clientele.