Assistance Available For Farmers To Improve Water Efficiency

Ag producers are continually examining how their operation can become more efficient. There is a program available to Colorado farmers that can assist in water efficiency and possibly develop their own energy resources. Sam Anderson is the Program Manager for the ACRE3 Energy Program and he explains

Anderson: "Converting flood irrigated lands to more efficient irrigation systems has been a long standing and well recognized priority for Natural Resource Conservation in the West. This program provides technical assistance and funding assistance for converting from flood irrigation to new systems with a hydropower component or retrofitting existing irrigation systems with hydropower."

Anderson continues with the potential benefits of participating in the program

Anderson: "By using hydro power, they can substantially reduce their labor and energy costs and improve their bottom line. And with the pressurized irrigation systems, they can use substantially less water to irrigate and may increase crop production as well."

Anderson says that his role is to assist farmers through the process. He says the program is

Anderson: "Very site dependent so the first step is to actually submit a pre-application and then perform a site assessment and a feasibility study before submitting the actual application for the program. They can contact me to start the pre-application process — they reach me through our website at www.colorado.gov/ag/energy."

Applicants must be eligible to receive funding from the EQIP program. To start the application process, contact Anderson at sam.anderson@state.co.us