Water survey looks for input from small acreage farmers

Utah Water Quality Task Force, a coalition of agencies, non-profit organizations and other experts, is looking at ways to improve Utah’s water quality. Members are hoping a new survey will give them a few ideas as well as some constructive feedback.

The task force recently released the survey aimed at small acreage operations. Task force members are asking those who own or manage a small acreage farm complete the survey to assess landowner’s current practices and knowledge with respect to water quality.

Nancy Mesner, Utah State University Water Quality Extension Specialist, said the task force has developed successful programs working with larger farming operations, however some of the smaller farms are falling through the cracks.

“We know that they deal with many of the same problems of keeping the clean water clean and keeping the pollutants out of the water that larger operations deal with.”  However, Mesner continued, “we also had a sense they weren’t getting the same kind of support. So, we’ve initiated a survey to try to reach these people and ask them who they are and how we can help.” Mesner added, “we want to get a sense of what they are currently doing so we can develop some support and programs that will target what their needs are.”

The survey will also be used to tailor a statewide education campaign in the spring aimed at reducing “non-point source pollution.” This type of pollution travels via rainfall and runoff from farms and other properties to rivers, lakes and streams. According to Mesner, the outreach campaign will highlight some of the successes over the years and address problems that still remain.

“We go to different land owners, managers and citizens in general,” said Mesner, “and educate them on how to change behaviors, modify behaviors or change how they’re managing their land in ways that will hopefully help them.” More specifically, she added, the goal is to “help keep our water clean so when it gets back to the rivers and the lakes and the reservoirs it will still be in good shape.”

Mesner stressed that the survey is voluntary and recommended changes will not result in any kind of regulation. The effort is strictly designed to help farmers better manage their land and the water flowing through it.

The task force is hoping to get surveys back by the end of November so members can start developing an outreach campaign that will benefit large and small acreage operations.

Participants in the survey enter a chance to win a $200 gift card at a local farm supply store. The survey can be found at smallacreage.utah.gov.

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