The Journal

The Southwest Basin Round Table approved funding to Montezuma Land Conservancy for a two-year grant totaling $24,192 for a research project at Fozzie’s Farm. The project hopes to demonstrate how soil moisture sensors can provide irrigators with useful and timely information to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of water applications. With support from the Colorado State University’s Southwestern Colorado Research Center, MLC staff and local high school students will collect and analyze data and then share the results with their peers, other farmers and the community.

As farmers and ranchers face uncertainty about market conditions, a changing climate and future water supplies, Montezuma Land Conservancy is taking a proactive approach to how they manage their farm in Lewis. By incorporating soil moisture monitoring devices at their 83-acre farm and ranch, they hope to refine their irrigation practices and share what they learn with others in the community. Grant funds will be used to purchase technical equipment for the research project, complete soil and forage testing and support MLC’s summer Agriculture Immersion Program and internships for local youths.

Involving local youths in the research and outreach will further enhance local efforts to develop sophisticated water users. In addition to measuring how much water will be saved through better decision-making, MLC will also document how improved efficiency affects production.

For more information, contact Travis Custer at 565-1664.