Rio Grande Basin Initiative

2006-07 Deliverables

Principal Investigator(s): District 12

We mutually agree for the District 12 counties of Cameron, Dimmit, Hidalgo, Maverick, Starr, Webb, Willacy and Zapata to deliver the following during June 1, 2006 to May 31, 2007, using funds from the Rio Grande Basin Initiative:

Cameron County:

  1. Within urban, rural and colonia communities and schools, introduce and demonstrate:
    1. The newest and/or most current technically appropriate home water quality conservation technologies.
    2. On-site Extension educational demonstrations utilizing equipment, material and resources to conduct direct individual or group educational activities (Master Volunteer Program) on water quality and conservation.
    3. Implement educational events, activities in the form of workshops, conferences and seminars, and establish project to increase the knowledge or awareness at adults and youth.
  2. Promote and support on-going water quality and conservation result demonstrations with agriculture producers.
  3. Develop and implement curriculum, educational exhibits and flip charts promoting water quality and conservation to colonia residents, school youth and master volunteers.

Dimmit County:

  1. Materials, supplies and equipment to use in multi county child care provider training on water quality and water conservation.
    1. Staff will train 25 providers using requested materials, supplies and equipment.
    2. Centers with staff who have participated in the training will be provided books, equipment, etc. on a check out basis for use in their child care facilities so they may duplicate the activities taught at the training.

Hidalgo County:

  1. Conduct a Cotton Pre Plant Conference; Nutrient Management Program; an irrigation meter telemetry project; a result demonstration in row crop production to evaluate the use of drip irrigation in the production of corn, sugarcane or cotton; a result demonstration on drip irrigation in citrus production; a result demonstration on conventional center pivot irrigation; and a conference on sports turf.
  2. Maintain weather station in support of local result demonstrations and Texas ET Network.
  3. Explore ways the sugarcane industry can utilize water resources in the most efficient manner possible as part of a new effort Extension is attempting to work closer with the sugar industry.
  4. A native ornamental grass trial will be established to evaluate various grasses for use in landscapes.
  5. Water conservation educational programs directed to elementary youth will be used utilizing school based curricula.
  6. Collaborate with housing authorities, public utilities, home supply stores and schools to conduct water conservation carnivals. Water related games and prizes and free water saving appliances (showerheads, aerators, etc.) will be the incentive to attend.

Maverick County:

  1. Purchase water sensor markers and moisture meters to use on several irrigated fields throughout the county to establish baseline data for the PIN project.
  2. Maverick County agent and other interested clientele will attend meetings, workshops and seminars throughout the year established by the multi-region PIN collaborators.
  3. Result demonstrations and tours will be conducted on test plots in neighboring counties during meetings, workshops and seminars in order to educate our clientele about the goal of the PIN project and our on-going findings.

Starr County:

  1. Introduce and demonstrate various methods of intervention in order to reduce in-home water-use.
  2. Implement educational events and activities for elementary youth in schools on water quality and conservation using the investigating water curriculum.
  3. Promote & support on-going water quality and conservation result demonstrations with agriculture workers.
  4. Promote and support professional development, so that professional staff and volunteers are highly skilled.

Webb County:

  1. Webb County Extension educational programs, events and activities will include water quality, conservation and management practices. Some of planned activities for 2006 include: a spring gardening/water conservation seminar, rainwater harvesting result demonstrations, drought management workshop, animal identification and water issues field day, and water well/stock tank screening days.

Willacy County:

  1. Provide producers with the latest technology to better help them with management decisions in regards to water conservation, water usage and efficient usage of water.
  2. Promote and conduct water related meetings and educational programs at the county, district and state levels.
  3. Some planned educational programs and activities include: a residue management meeting, a soil testing campaign, sugarcane production work, water conservation in schools, an irrigation conference, summer youth camps, a nutrient management meeting, promotion opportunities, and variety trials in cotton, grain and corn.

Zapata County:

  1. 4 H Curriculum Enrichment: Investigating Water Educational Program   Agent will conduct an educational program through the local school district to teach students about water quality and water conservation issues in Zapata County. Estimated contacts: 300.
  2. 4 H Curriculum Enrichment: Rainfall Simulator   Agent will conduct an educational event at local school district to teach students about soil erosion issues. Estimated contacts: 300.
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