Many farming techniques falling under the broad category of sustainable agriculture have the potential to reduce water use while achieving other benefits. These include approaches such as soil moisture retention, retention of precipitation, management and use of greywater, cropping choices, and innovative irrigation regimes, among others. Key research questions and tools for farmers need to be addressed. We know that economic drivers are the motivators for most behavior change, so cost-benefit analyses must be applied to all proposed practices to test for the likelihood of widespread adoption and impact. We must prioritize solutions that move farmers away from a reactive, short term cost minimization approach to a proactive model that encourages investments in long-term sustainability.
Selected Publications and Information
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) irrigation technical support
NRCS provides a range of funding and technical assistance related to agricultural water supply, including reviewing water management plans, improving irrigation efficiency, evaluating groundwater problems, etc.
Coordinating Government Programs and Policies to Advance Water Use Efficiency in California (2006) – U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
This study presents information about policies that support or conflict with both urban and agricultural water use efficiency measures, and provides examples of successful strategies. It also summarizes the funding programs available in California, including the grant ranges and eligibility criteria. Finally, it makes recommendations to funders and other stakeholders on how to improve the distribution of funding to more effectively achieve water use efficiency.
The Pacific Institute — California Water: 2030
This report lays out a plan to cut wasteful water use in California by 20 percent in 25 years.
Keyline Design, Sustainable Agriculture & Carbon Sequestering This YouTube video series of a lecture by Darren Doherty in Santa Barbara (Nov 2007) was produced by Commongood Media and Santa Barbara Permaculture Network. Keyline Design is a complete design system for landscapes. It is applicable to both rural and urban areas. It is a unique combination of water conservation and soil building, with great appeal to both farmers and ranchers, as it has the ability to build and regenerate degraded soils rapidly.
Organizational Resources
Cooperative Extension
University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), the outreach arm of the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, has farm, 4-H, and nutrition, family and consumer sciences advisors based in more than 50 county offices. In addition, Cooperative Extension specialists are headquartered at UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and UC Riverside, where they conduct research and coordinate advisors’ activities. County farm advisors’ work is aimed at enhancing California agricultural productivity and competitiveness. Together with farmers, pest control advisors, and industry representatives, they identify current and emerging agricultural opportunities and problems. The advisors collaborate with campus-based Cooperative Extension specialists and AES scientists to research, adapt, and field-test agricultural improvements or solutions and promote the use of research findings.
Agricultural Water Management Council
The goal of the Council is to achieve greater water management efficiency through voluntary participation by its more than 65 irrigation district members, most of which are located in the Central Valley from Redding to Imperial Valley. Members enter into an agreement with the Council to implement a set of water conservation practices that are locally beneficial and economical, ranging from designating a water conservation coordinator to canal linings to providing low-interest loans for efficient irrigation on farms. The Council does not have data on how much water has been conserved through the efforts of its members. Their primary focus is on irrigation efficiency and infrastructure improvements.
California Section of the WateReuse Association
The Association promotes responsible stewardship of California’s water resources by maximizing the safe, practical, and beneficial use of recycled water, and brings together researchers and practitioners to promote water re-use in agriculture and other sectors.
California Association of Resource Conservation Districts
Operating through 103 regionally-controlled boards, RCDs address a wide variety of conservation issues such as forest fuel management, water and air quality, wildlife habitat restoration, soil erosion control, conservation education, and more. RCDs work in urban areas as well as with farmers and ranchers.
University of California Center for Water Resources
The Center was created to stimulate and support (financially and otherwise) water research across the UC system. Much of this work centers on improving agricultural water efficiency through irrigation management, including the use of lower quality water for irrigation and improving precision applications of water. In an attempt to close the research-practice gap, the Center is also actively developing their outreach program to connect cutting-edge research with public policy and praxis, and to act as a clearinghouse and public liaison.
