Progress 01/15/09 to 12/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Several publications from this project were prepared during the last year and are in various stages of publication. The irrigation and water resource research conducted under this project has resulted in new information and data for New Mexico's Middle Rio Grande region. The project's research results are of interest to New Mexico farmers, water managers, water regulators,water policymakers, and other water stakeholders in the Middle Rio Grande region. Research results have been disseminated to community members who participated in the project's community strategic planning initiative. Research results have been presented at public forums in the state. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? ThreeNew Mexico State University graduate students conducted masters-level research under the auspices of this project. The students received degrees in agricultural economics, civil engineering, and applied geography. One masters-level student in agricultural economics assisted with survey data analysis and report preparation. One undergraduate student assisted with the community strategic planning process. Several undergraduate and graduate students in civil engineering assisted with on-farm irrigation, soil, and water data collection and field measurements on farms located in New Mexico's Middle Rio Grande region. These students installed equipment, managed the equipment, and were responsible for the field research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Research results have been disseminated through the community strategic planning process, through public presentations (oral and poster), through M.S. thesis and residency report research publications (including peer reviewed publications), and through New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station research reports (in review, to be posted on the NM-AES website). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Research conducted under this project has generated new data and information about agricultural productivity and agricultural water use in New Mexico's Middle Rio Grande Region. Water and soil quality in the region was assessed, alfalfa water use (evapotanspiration) was measured, a survey of small farm practices was conducted, the economic impact of agriculture in the region was estimated, and a community strategic planning process was sponsored through the project.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Samani, Z. A., Skaggs, R., Griggs, B. (2013). Microclimate Effects of Urban-Fringe Irrigated Agriculture in a Desert Environment. Using 21st Century Technology to Better Manage Irrigation Water Supplies, 7th Intl. Conference on Irrigation and Drainage (pp. 207-212). Denver, CO: US Committee on Irrigation and Drainage.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Samani, Z. A., Bawazir, A. S., Skaggs, R. (2013). Using Remote Sensing and Ground Measurement to Assess Agricultural Water Use in the Middle Rio Grande. New Water Realities 58th Annual New Mexico Water Conference. New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute. 2013.wrri.nmsu.edu/posters
- Type:
Other
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Saz, A., Bawazir, A. S., Samani, Z. A., Skaggs, R. (In review) Alfalfa Evapotranspiration in Albuquerque's South Valley. New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station Research Report.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Holmes, T., Skaggs, R. (In review) Economic Impact of Agriculture in the Southern Albuquerque, New Mexico Metropolitan Area. New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station Research Report.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Saz, A., Bawazir, A. S., Samani, Z. A., Skaggs, R. (In review) On-Farm Soil and Water Quality in Albuquerque's South Valley. New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station Report.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Alvarez-Diemer, R., Skaggs, R., Demouche, L., Holmes, T. (In review) Strategic Planning to Improve Economic Returns and Long-run sustainability in a Rapidly Growing, Peri-Urban, Multicultural, Traditional Farming Community: South Valley, New Mexico. New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station Research Report.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Paradox, A., Holmes, T., Demouche, L., Skaggs, R. (In review) The South Valley - A Look at Small Farm Practices and Objectives Near New Mexico's Largest City. New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station Research Report.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Griggs, B. 2011. Urbanization and Microclimate in the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, New Mexico. Residency report submitted to the New Mexico State University Department of Geography in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Applied Geography.
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Progress 01/15/13 to 12/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Small-scale agricultural irrigators in New Mexico's South Valley community (south of Albuquerque, NM metro area) were the target audience for project activities. The South Valley is undergoing rapid urbanization and population growth. The growth threatens the existence of peri-urban agriculture and quality of life factors that arise from the region's traditional agricultural setting. This threat has created pressure on farmers to improve their water management. This project evaluated and quantified parameters affecting South Valley agriculture, including on-farm soil and water quality, irrigation water management, crop evapotranspiration, andsmall farm agricultural practices. Changes/Problems: No major changes occurred in the project's last year. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Two master's students were funded by research assistantships through the project (one in agricultural economics, one in civil engineering). One agricultural economics master's student assisted with data analysis and report preparation (and received an hourly salary). One applied geography master's student used the project's objectives for a non-thesis research paper (on microclimate effects). Several civil engineering undergraduate students received hourly salary support to collect and analyze on-farm data for water and soil quality and crop water use in the South Valley. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results have been disseminated through a strategic planning workshop held in the South Valley in late 2012. Public presentations of research results have been made, results have been published or are in various stages of publication. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Project reports in various stages of completion will be posted on the New Mexico State University website and will be submitted to USDA.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Two master's thesesand one master's final project paper are the primary output of this project. The scientific parameters affecting South Valley agricultural productivity studied and quantified in these documents include: economic impact of agriculture in the southern Albuquerque New Mexico Metropolitan area, small farm agricultural practices and objectives, alfalfa evapotranspiration in the South Valley, on-farm soil and water quality in the South Valley, the microclimate effects of urban-fringe irrigated agriculture in the South Valley. The package of research results generated for the South Valley through this project is new and forms a baseline of data and information about South Valley irrigated agricutlure. The strategic planning workshop held under the sponsorship of this project identified opportunities and threats facing South Valley agriculture, and provided community members with action items.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Skaggs, R., Project Director Meeting - Prosperity for Small and Medium-sized Farms and Rural communities Programs, USDA - NIFA, Washington DC, "Improving Economic Returns & Long-Run sustainability in a Rapidly Growing, Peri-Urban, Multicultural, Traditional Farming Community". (February 21, 2013).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Samani, Z. A., Bawazir, A. S., Skaggs, R. (2013). Using Remote Sensing and Ground Measurement to Assess Agricultural Water Use in the Middle Rio Grande. New Water Realities 58th Annual New Mexico Water Conference. New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute. 2013.wrri.nmsu.edu/posters. Published abstract for poster presentation.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Samani, Z. A., Skaggs, R., Griggs, B. (2013). Microclimate Effects of Urban-Fringe Irrigated Agriculture in a Desert Environment. Using 21st Century Technology to Better Manage Irrigation Water Supplies, 7th Intl. Conference on Irrigation and Drainage (pp. 207-212). Denver, CO: US Committee on Irrigation and Drainage.
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Progress 01/15/12 to 01/14/13
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1)Scientific data for the following items have been collected or generated for the study area (Albuquerque's South Valley): a) crop water use, b) current land use, c) weather, d) water quality, e) microclimate effects of irrigated agriculture; 2) Social science data for the following items have been collected or generated for the study area (Albuquerque's South Valley): a) economic characteristics of South Valley agriculture, b) economic impact of local agriculture, c) marketing information on locally grown food. 3) Community-based strategic planning which entails the following items has been completed for the study area: a) Identification of agricultural land irrigators' perceptions about current agricultural issues and related social and environmental issues, b) Development of a strategic vision for the next five years and the respective strategic actions, c) Identification of the potential barriers and the necessary strategies. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Consumer preferences for local and/or organic food were investigated by a survey of Albuquerque supermarket shoppers. Economic impact of regional agricultural production was estimated using IMPLAN. Characteristics of small-scale irrigated farms and farmers were documented using a mail and telephone survey. Thermal imaging was used to assess the micro-climatic impacts of local agriculture, specifically the cooling effect of irrigated agriculture in a desert environment. Land use and land cover changes in Albuquerque's South Valley were quantified and mapped from 1990-2010. Evapotranspiration of alfalfa in the South Valley was estimated using eddy covariance methods and remote sensing technology. Alfalfa crop coefficients for the region were developed. On-farm irrigation efficiency in the South Valley was estimated using field data from 35 fields in the region. On-farm soil and water (ground and surface) quality in the South Valley was studied using soil samples from six alfalfa fields, and water samples from the region throughout the growing season. A community strategic planning workshop was held in the South Valley in October 2012. Community stakeholders participated in a day-long planning process that focused on the future of irrigated agriculture in the South Valley.
Publications
- Holmes, T., Yan, R., Skaggs, R. (2012). Predicting Consumers' Preferences for and Likely Buying of Local and Organic Produce: Results of a Choice Experiment. Journal of Food Products Marketing, 18, 369-384.
- Tyler J. Holmes. 2011. Improving Economic Returns and Long-Run Agricultural Sustainability in New Mexico's South Valley. M.S. thesis, Agricultural Economics, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces.
- Skaggs, R., L. DeMouche, T. Holmes, Z. Samani, B. Griggs, A. Bawazir. 2011. Urbanization Issues in the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. Emerging Challenges and Opportunities for Irrigation Managers: Energy, Efficiency, and Infrastructure. United States Committee on Irrigation and Drainage. ISBN 978-1-887903-34-9.
- Saz, Aquiles. 2012. On-Farm Water Use in the Peri-Urban Albuquerque South Valley, NM. M.S. thesis, Civil Engineering, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM.
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Progress 01/15/11 to 01/14/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Project is in its third year. Baseline data and information for South Valley agricultural practices, agricultural irrigation, economic impact of local agriculture, micro-climate impacts of local agriculture, characteristics and objectives of local households, and community agricultural objectives have been and are being developed. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
This research is providing previously unavailable information and data for the region's agriculture and agricultural water use.
Publications
- Skaggs, R., Samani, Z. A., Bawazir, A. S., Bleiweiss, M. (2011). The Convergence of Water Rights, Structural Change, Technology, and Hydrology: A Case Study of New Mexico's Lower Rio Grande. Natural Resources Journal, 51(1), 95-117.
- Griggs, B. 2011. Urbanization and Microclimate in the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, New Mexico. Master's Thesis. New Mexico State University.
- Holmes, T. 2011. Improving Economic Returns and Long-Run Sustainability in New Mexico's South Valley. Master's Thesis. New Mexico State University.
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Progress 01/15/10 to 01/14/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Currently we have installed 3 weather stations and one eddy covariance flux tower in the study area that has been measuring real-time water use during the growing season. This information is being collected and will be used to calibrate multi-spectral images so that regional ET for various crops can be estimated through remote sensing. Currently we are collecting inflow from streamflow data from USGS, precipitation from the irrigation districts and NMSU weather stations, and groundwater data from several monitoring wells from the County of Bernalillo, NM. Collection of outflow includes evapotranspiration (ET) data from the flux stations and meter readings collected by the Office of the State Engineer for irrigation wells. Currently we are conducting an on-farm survey to collect data on crop mixes, water usage, on-farm management, irrigation practices, farming practices, managerial and marketing practices and demographic information. This survey will continue for 3 to 4 additional months and has a 50% response rate objective. Additionally we will be using the evapotranspiration estimates, a survey of yield information from local farmers, crop-water production functions to estimate economic returns from agricultural water consumption, and develop guidelines for optimal management of water. This information will be used as input into an existing regional economic model (i.e., IMPLAN) which has been applied in other similar applications. We are in the process of purchasing piezometers that will be installed in the study area for multiple groundwater monitoring well points. Monthly samples will be collected from groundwater and surface. The samples will be analyzed for nutrient content, salinity, and zoonotic pathogens. Presently we have collected over 1 year of thermal imaging data from satellite (Landsat 5 TM and Landsat 7 ETM+). These sources will be used to calculate spatial and temporal variabilities in ambient temperatures to assess the impacts of agriculture on microclimates. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
This project is taking take an integrated social science approach to determine current irrigation practices, irrigator objectives, and attitudes towards best management practices in irrigated agriculture. The project will also identify possible solutions that may be acceptable to members of the agricultural community in the South Valley region as well as the larger Middle Rio Grande Basin. The integrated social science approach has the greatest potential to translate research results into on-farm adoption and implementation of best management practices throughout an agricultural system. Furthermore, improved agricultural practices have strong potential to serve as a foundation for the development of production or ethical standards that can be used as market signals to consumers of local agricultural products. This project will provide a baseline of information regarding the study region's agricultural water management technical parameters, socio-economic and demographic agricultural milieu and parameters, selected ecosystem services (such as climate moderation) arising from agricultural water use and production, local residents' agricultural and water management attitudes, objectives, and motivations, needs for educational or extension efforts as related to best management practices and agricultural entrepreneurship.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/15/09 to 01/14/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We conducted a community meeting to inform and deliver specifics concerning the goals and objectives of the grant. Community response was positive and supportive. Meeting was held in the South Valley area of Albuquerque at the Gutierrez Hubbel House, April 2009. We met with the local irrigation district Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) to discuss the project and their responsibility in the grant. We have met with the District 3 times regarding this project. We hired a graduate assistant for the project in Spring 2009. We conducted an on-line participatory survey for nominations of persons in the area who are knowledgeable and have expertise about area farming and water resources. We developed an advisory committee of 5 area participants. Participants are all small to medium size producers actively farming, gardening, or ranching in the South Valley area. We are currently collecting research data to produce a guidebook for Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. We installed 3 weather stations in the South Valley area to collect data. We installed a flux tower in the South Valley area to collect data. We have made over 15 farm visits in this area this year to evaluate on-farm irrigation application and install piezometers. We are developing an on-farm survey to document agricultural practices in the area. Survey will assist in identifying and documenting BMP's for the area. We have developed predictive models for fresh produce purchasing preferences for Albuquerque metro area consumers, using consumer survey data gathered in 2007. We attended the 2009 Agricultural Prosperity for Small and Medium-Sized Farms Project Director's Meeting held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in July 2009. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
This project is evaluating the hydrologic, socio-economic, and policy components of agricultural production in the study area, and the related hydrological balance of the system. The objectives of this project are to (1) identify and quantify currently unmeasured scientific parameters which affect agricultural productivity and agricultural water use in peri-urban, small, scale, multicultural, traditional agriculture; and (2) use the technical engineering and hydrologic results obtained in (1) to develop technologies and guidelines which will enhance the profitability and sustainability of small-scale farms. Project activities in Year 1 (2009) were primarily focused on developing the contacts and relationships with residents, the instrumentation, tools, and procedures for generating baseline hydrologic, socio-economic, and policy data for the study area.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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