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A research and extension unit of the

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Engagement
August 05, 2022

Agriculture in Arizona – Forging Ahead Despite Challenges

The WRRC’s 20th Annual Conference, Arizona's Agricultural Outlook: Water, Climate, and Sustainability, took place on July 12-14 and presented many unique perspectives on current and future agricultural water use. With additional major Colorado River cutbacks on the near horizon, the tone of the conference was sobering. Within this context – and recognizing that parts of Arizona do not rely on Colorado River water – conference speakers did not shy away from addressing the reality of the situation. However, they also shared some optimism, whether from excitement over new technologies and innovations or opportunities to learn from and work with Indigenous leaders for sustainable land and cultural stewardship. Throughout the conference, speakers representing a diversity of perspectives emphasized the need for collaborative and creative solutions to the very real and growing challenges. You can view the conference recordings on the WRRC website.
 
Two of the conference's main themes were adaptation and sustainability, with many speakers highlighting the willingness of Arizona agriculture to rise to the challenges presented by the new climate reality. Innovative technologies like agrivoltaics, controlled environment agriculture, and drip irrigation were presented as part of the “toolbox” of solutions that can be expanded. Sustainability was discussed in multiple contexts, including sustaining agricultural knowledge and experience, helping local and small farmers remain in business, and farming in ways that consider the needs of future generations.
 
Hearing from speakers working to build resilience and adapt to the rapidly changing environment brought focus to the monumental challenges ahead for Arizona agriculture. The diverse perspectives and messages delivered at the conference are many and nuanced. A collective takeaway, however, is that, as water resources become more scarce and costly, water managers, farmers, ranchers, decision-makers, and stakeholders throughout the state and region will face extremely difficult decisions. Fallowing croplands and urban expansion into agricultural lands may decrease water demand, but the ramifications of these decisions are complex. The cultural, economic, and ecological benefits that agriculture provides must be considered, along with attention to possible unintended consequences. Collaborative and creative problem solving must continue. The WRRC looks forward to participating in future efforts and will be working on our next Arroyo, which will focus on the multi-faceted topics explored at the conference.
 
Image: Ted Wood/The Water Desk, Colorado River Indian Tribes Reservation, Arizona

  • WRRC 2022 Conference Page
  • Director Megdal’s Reflections on the 2022 Conference
  • View Past Editions of the Arroyo

 

Recent News

Engagement
August 05, 2022
Agriculture in Arizona – Forging Ahead Despite Challenges
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Engagement
July 22, 2022
New Interactive Online Water Resources

The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) have both recently released interactive online resources that may be of interest to water experts and members of the public alike. 

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Engagement
July 22, 2022
Arizona Project WET Announces New Forest Investigations Activity Center!

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July 08, 2022
APW Summer Professional Development
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Engagement
July 08, 2022
WRRC Conference Is Next Week: Register FREE for Virtual Programming
The WRRC 2022 Annual Conference, Arizona’s Agricultural Outlook: Water, Climate, and Sustainability, is next week and it’s not too late to register! Our hybrid-format conference will be held in-person with livestreaming on July 12 and virtually on Zoom on July 13–14. You can register FREE for the livestream and the virtual sessions. Late registration for the in-person event is also available online or at the door for $85 or a discounted student rate of $25.
 
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June 24, 2022
Annual Coconino County 4th Grade Water Ethics Contest

Water conservation is an ethical challenge. Integrating ethical water education into our programs instills a sense of stewardship, ownership, and responsibility in our youth, shaping behaviors and inspiring solutions to our water resource issues. Each year, 4th-grade students across Coconino County are invited to participate in a Water Ethics Contest. The contest, which began in 2010, is sponsored by the Coconino Plateau Watershed Partnership (a branch of the Coconino Plateau Water Advisory Council) and hosted by Willow Bend Environmental Education Center.

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