YUMA, ARIZONA – The Yuma agriculture community continues to look for opportunities to engage and educate stakeholders regarding the importance of being up-to-date on water issues and the impact water management decisions can have on the agriculture industry. An agriculture water conference, slated for January 13, 2016 in Yuma, will bring together leading experts and leaders for updates on current issues regarding water rights and supply.
The conference "Yuma's Agriculture Water: What You Need to Know" is put together and sponsored by the Yuma County Agriculture Water Coalition; the Agribusiness & Water Council of Arizona and the UofA College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Wade Noble, coordinator for the Coalition, shared his thoughts about the importance of the conference, "This is the first and only Yuma agriculture water conference. It is sponsored by the water user's association and irrigation districts with the agriculture water rights, the perspective of Agribusiness in Arizona, and the UofA. We'll talk about water rights and supply, the importance of agriculture in Yuma County, getting the water to the crops and water transfers."
The conference will include featured speakers Mark Killian, Director of Arizona Department of Agriculture; Dr. Shane Burgess, Dean of University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Thomas Buschatzke, Director of Arizona Department of Water Resources; and Terry Fulp, Director of Bureau of Reclamation, Lower Colorado Region.
The conference will take place from 7:30am-1:00pm and cost $25 for the conference, breakfast and lunch. Registration materials are available http://www.agwateryuma.com/yawc2016.html or by calling 928-246-9255.
The Yuma County Agriculture Water Coalition, in February 2015, published "A Case Study in Efficiency – Agriculture and Water Use in the Yuma, Arizona Area". Coalition members include Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District; Yuma County Water Users' Association; Yuma Mesa Irrigation and Drainage District; Yuma Irrigation District; North Gila Valley Irrigation and Drainage District; and Unit B Irrigation and Drainage District.
Rex Green, General Manager of Yuma Irrigation District, hopes that this conference is standing room only. "Agriculture water impacts this entire community and there are many who share in the burden of protecting our water rights and being continuously educated. We look forward to welcoming each stakeholder that cares about this issue because we believe each person will add something to the conversation."
For more information, contact Susan Sternitzke at 928-246-9255.
Source: Yuma Agriculture Water Conference
