The Future of Agricultural Water Use in Arizona: A Conference Dialogue

Water Resources Research Center and the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Arizona

Wednesday, April 28, 2004
Francisco Grande Hotel and Golf Resort, Casa Grande AZ
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

AGENDA

8:00 Conference Registration - Continental breakfast in the Sonoran Ballroom

8:30 Welcome - Eugene Sander, Vice Provost and Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alan Ker, Head, Agricultural and Resource Economics

8:45 Opening Keynote -The Future of United States Agriculture
James G. "Jim" Butler, Deputy Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services

9:30 Young Farmers Panel -Arizona's Future in Agriculture

Moderator: Russ Tronstad, Associate Professor and Specialist, Agricultural and Resource Economics

Anna Groseta, Current FFA President, UA Student

Ana Kennedy, M.S. Agricultural and Resource Economics Brian Hogue, Past FFA Present, ASU East Student

10:15 Break

10:30 Panel -Key Issues Affecting the Future of Agricultural Water Usein Arizona

Moderator: John F. Sullivan, Associate General Manager, Water Group, Salt River Project Bill Perry, William K. Perry Farms and CAP Board member

Matt VanBaale, Assistant Professor and Dairy Specialist, UA Animal Sciences Sheldon Jones, Executive Director, Agri-Business Council of Arizona

Grant Ward, Santa Cruz Water and Power District Association Don Pope, Yuma County Water Users' Association

11:45 Break for Lunch -a selection of boxed lunches and drinks can be picked up at the back of the Sonoran Ballroom. Seating is available at rounds set up in the Promenade, and the terrace and pool areas.

12:30 Reconvene for Keynote Address: Achieving Public Goals on Private Property: A New Model for the 2st Century

Ralph Grossi, President, American Farmland Trust.

Introduction by Dean Lueck, Professor and Cardon Chair, Agricultural and Resource Economic

1:15 Presentation -The Imperial Irrigation Deal -An Arizona Perspective

Bill Swan, Attorney/Consultant

Introduction by George Frisvold, Professor and Specialist, Agricultural and Resource Economics Discussant: Bonnie Colby, Professor, Agricultural and Resource Economics

2:00 Panel - The Changing Nature of Arizona Agriculture

Moderator: Joe Sigg, Director of Government Relations, Arizona Farm Bureau. Richard Morrison, President, J&M Farms, Inc. and Attorney, Salmon, Lewis & Weldon Jeffrey Silvertooth, Professor and Head, UA Soil, Water and Environmental Science The Honorable Mary Thomas, Lt. Governor, Gila River Indian Community

Daniel Preston, San Xavier District, Tohono O'odham Nation Robert Flake, Cedar Ridge Sod, Snowflake, Arizona

3:15 Break

3:30 State Officials Panel

Moderator: Sharon B. Megdal, Associate Director, Water Resources Research Center and Professor/Specialist, Agricultural and Resource Economics

Donald Butler, Director, Arizona Department of Agriculture

Herb Guenther, Director, Arizona Department of Water Resources Mark Winkleman, Commissioner, Arizona State Land Department - The Honorable Jake Flake, Speaker, Arizona House of Representatives

4:30 Conference Wrap-up and Discussion -Kevin Rogers, President, Arizona Farm Bureau