Delta Area “Turn Row Talks” on Water Conservation Announced

On June 9, leaders from the Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board, key personnel from the Mississippi State University Extension Service, and stakeholder organizations as part of the Delta Sustainable Water Resources Task Force  formally announced a series of summer irrigation “Turn Row Talks” to be held across the Delta during the month of July for producers to attend local, on-farm demonstrations of water conservation efforts being implemented and utilized by growers in their respective areas.

Producers will hear from farmer cooperators and MSU Extension Service staff at these events.  Chairman of the Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board (MSPB) Jan Deregt stated, “We wanted to undertake some follow-up efforts after the successful series of meetings we held this winter, where we saw an overwhelming interest in water conservation.  Through MSPB’s Sustainable Irrigation Project (SIP) Initiative, we are committed to a long-term effort to promote water conservation measures.  We appreciate the support of the Delta Sustainable Water Resource Task Force on this important effort.”  Mississippi State University Extension Service Irrigation Specialist Dr. Jason Krutz stated, “We are looking forward to conducting these informative on-site demonstrations for people to actually get to see some of these important tools in action.  We envision an hour to an hour and a half event where we can walk through some of this technology and then take questions from producers.  I will be working in conjunction with Dr. Trent Irby, MSU Extension State Soybean Specialist, on all these meetings.” MDEQ Office of Land & Water Resources Director Kay Whittington stated, “MDEQ is excited to be a part of this effort.  Promoting and advancing water conservation practices is a high priority for the Delta Sustainable Water Resources Task Force.  The SIP initiative is a great example of a producer-led effort to promote water conservation.”

Dates and counties hosting these events include: July 23 (Coahoma, Quitman and Tunica counties); July 24 (Bolivar, Leflore, Sunflower, and Tallahatchie counties); and July 25 (Humphreys, Issaquena/Sharkey, and Washington counties). Exact times and locations for these events will be announced in the very near future.  Tentative “Turn Row Talks” to highlight irrigation termination are also planned for August 25, 26, & 27 with the same county schedule as listed in the first series of meetings.  For more information, please contact your local MSU Extension Service office.