Water Conservation - North Region

Work Group Names: Bean, New, Siders, Stawn

Region: North         List which primary base program it addresses - ANR 

Section 1. Relevance

Where did this issue surface?

Texas Community Futures Forum                             

County Committees                                                   

Commodity / Industry / Special Interest Groups        

Specialist(s)                                                               

What is the issue/problem?

The amount of water availability and the quality of that water. Public awareness of water importance to the future?

As land is developed by houses, roads, etc., there is a change to the watershed which can cause negative impacts to the environment.

Problem size and scope? (How many people does it affect? How wide spread?)

           Every citizen and all potentially developed land mass areas.

Problem severity? (How serious is this issue?)                 High  

Description: As an increase in population it will affect more.

           Expense, cost, best management practices, timing, delivery systems, new technologies

Target Audience? (Who does the problem impact and how many?)

           This one focuses on agriculture producers of North Texas.

What are some general characteristics of the audience this program targets?

           Landowners, retain that ownership, right to farm, produce a commodity.

Section 2. Response

Goal of the Program

Increase water conservation practices by managers of crops, forages, turf grasses, and landscapes.

State the outcome objectives.

Objectives:

1.        Crop and forage producers adopt PET methodology in irrigation management strategies. (BEHAVIOR CHANGE OR BEST PRACTICE)

1.1.     Utilize crop and forage daily water use data to conserve water and improve water use efficiency.

1.2.     Provide representative crop and forage yields for partial PET.

1.3.     Increase users of PET management technology.

2.        Crop and forage producers adopt conservation tillage strategies. (BEST PRACTICE)

                       2.1.     Manage crop residue to conserve water.

                       2.2.     Reduce the number of tillage operations.

                       2.3.     Provide IPM strategies specific for reduced tillage

3.        Crop and forage producers change production systems to increase water use efficiency. (NEW TECHNOLOGY)

                       3.1      Establish and improve crop production per inch of water management.

                       3.2      Adopt drought tolerant crops, varieties, and hybrids.

                       3.3      Manage weeds to increase water storage and availability.

                       3.4      Adopt cropping systems which better utilize rainfall and irrigation water (i.e. rotations, tillage, furrow diking, terracing, contoured rows, etc.)

4.        Producers adopt practices to increase water use efficiency of native rangeland. (BEST PRACTICE)

                       4.1.     Adopt economic brush and weed control for increased water use efficiency.

                       4.2      Establish stocking systems which increase water use efficiency.

                       4.3      Develop animal watering systems which are efficient.

5.        Crop and forage producers adopt, install, and manage high efficiency irrigation systems. (BEST PRACTICE)

                       5.1      Establish and follow irrigation, rainfall and soil integrated water management strategies.

                       5.2      Monitor and manage water use in plant root zone and below to prevent deep percolation on SDI, and surface runoff on center pivot.

6.        Managers of turf grasses and landscapes utilize efficient water use practices. (BEHAVIOR CHANGE)

           6.1      Promote xeriscape, turf grasses, and other plants that require less water.

           6.2      Demonstrate and promote high efficiency water systems.

           6.3      Teach water management in Master Gardener classes and at educational training meetings.

           6.4      Utilize PET

7.          Educate citizens concerning laws and regulations of water districts and other water authorities within a region. (INCREASE KNOWLEDGE)

Section 3. Results

The last section deals with evaluation of this program. The evaluation content should mirror the objectives that are outlined in section two. Please try and list some specific questions that should be asked to the target audience to determine if the intended change took place. List as many potential questions as possible. The goal here is to create a question bank for each client change level so that the educator can review these questions to see if any of them are relevant to their program. If they are, then they can use them to measure change in their program. Remember, not all evaluation strategies have to be written questionnaires. They may also be interviews, direct observation, or focus groups. Please describe your method in this section where appropriate.

Economic Indicators. Are there economic indicators that can be measured concerning this issue?

 YES                            NO

Please list them below.

Interpretation. The last step in the process is interpreting the results to our stakeholders. List internal and external stakeholders that would be interested in the results of this educational program. Do not forget to think about other state agencies and groups that would be interested in these outcomes.

Additional Resources. What additional resources are needed to address this issue? In other words, what is needed to design innovative programs that will impact our audiences? Use the space below or the back if needed.