Mishmash of assorted ‘facts’ on water use, management
While reading one of my favorite regional newspapers, I saw this amazing headline: “How craft beer could save Arizona’s water supply.” I was stunned, how did everyone who utilizes Colorado River water not understand that it is that simple?
In reality, the article really was about a Camp Verde startup called Sinagua Malt that is working with nearby farmers to supply Arizona brewers with malted barley, the stuff that gives beer its color and much of its flavor. The article also stated that no one in Arizona produces malting barley, forcing users to buy from out of state suppliers. The river, Camp Verde folks are concerned about, is the Verde River and the gist of the story was that since barley grows during the cooler weather, it would reduce pressure on the Verde River in the summer months. The Nature Conservancy is involved in the malting project because it believes barley could lessen the summer farming ‘water suck,’ even out the flows and ultimately make for a healthier river.
After the malting barley discussion, the article went on to talk about a statewide water plan and repeated the incorrect conclusions that alfalfa and cotton are water wasting crops. Pinal County water concerns were also briefly addressed.
This article concerned me because of the mishmash of assorted ‘facts’ and opinion on water use and management that had very little basis in reality as well as a generous dash of agriculture bashing. There was the generous statement that ‘Arizona still needs farming — not only because it’s more sustainable to stock stores with local produce, but because fallowing land also takes jobs and revenue with it.’ You would think that an editor would take more time to research an opinion piece on the value of agriculture to Arizona and water issues. I researched water sources in Pinal County and learned that the primary sources of non-groundwater is the Central Arizona Project, Colorado River Water, not Verde River water.
In Yuma County, there are many people who are experts in water, labor, marketing and conservation issues throughout the state as well as on the lower Colorado River basin than anywhere. Yuma County is a desert and water is one of the most precious commodities. Maximizing the on-farm irrigation efficiencies along with crop production while maintaining a healthy growing environment for the crops is what Yuma farmers do. The article also referenced growing more water efficient crops, which can be done, but normally not at a profit. The crops grown must have an established market and give the grower a positive economic return. Trying to please the American public when it comes to food supplies is an ongoing challenge to the agricultural industry. Many types of crops and production methods are tested each year during the growing season. New fruits and vegetables are continuously being offered, but if no consistent market develops, they become a specialized production item or are not grown at all.
Everyone involved in agricultural production and the many support industries need to keep telling the story of Yuma agriculture, the $3 to $4 billion industry that produces half the county revenues and 25 percent of the jobs. It is important that we continue to educate the consumer with facts, not fiction.
Bobbi Stevenson-McDermott is a soil and water conservationist. She can be reached at rjsm09@msn.com.