Is the Panhandle and South Plains doomed to witness a “race to the bottom” as irrigated agriculture continues its massive drawdown of the vital Ogallala aquifer?
Three farmers and ranchers from the region will give their take on measures that could possibly preclude such an environmental disaster during a Stewarding Our Aquifer Field Day presented by Ogallala Commons on Tuesday, September 17 at 9 a.m. at the Plains Cotton Growers Room at the Fibermax Center for Discovery, 1121 Canyon Lake Drive, Lubbock.
Panelists will include Dr. Chris Grotegut of Tierra Esperanza Farms at Hereford, a forward-thinking farmer and rancher who has proven that irrigation retirement is possible and can lead to Ogallala aquifer recovery. Dr. Grotegut is an agriculture representative on the Llano Estacado (Region O) Regional Water Planning Group and serves on the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District Advisory Board.
Lacy Cotter Vardeman of Cotter Key Farms, Slaton, will offer comments. Cotter Vardeman is a fifth-generation farmer and rancher with a passion for conservation. Her efforts encompass a conservationoriented attitude applied to growing Angus cattle, farming cotton, preserving ephemeral playas in Bailey and Lubbock counties, and bringing back springs in Bailey County.
Lincoln Devault of Farwell, a Parmer County farmer and another agriculture representative on the Llano Estacado Regional Water Planning Group, rounds out the panel members. He has come to appreciate the value of playas in recharging the Ogallala aquifer, and the importance of saving Ogallala aquifer water for communities including Farwell, adjacent to the New Mexico border.
The panelists will complement a presentation by Dr. Ladona K. Clayton, executive director of Ogallala Land and Water Conservancy in Clovis, N.M., who will speak on “A Community Vision for Preserving the Ogallala Aquifer.” She will address the Conservancy’s scheme to retire as much irrigation in Curry County as possible to slake the thirst of Cannon Air Force Base and Clovis.
Jim Bertram, retired City Planner from Ransom Canyon, will give an overview of how the City of Lubbock Canyon Lakes Project came about nearly 50 years ago. Mr. Bertram will present via a Zoom recording.
After a quick sandwich lunch at 12:20 p.m. a field excursion will depart to tour along Canyon Drive and to view and visit lakes in the Jim Bertram Canyon Lakes Complex. The excursion will end at 2 p.m.
Registration for the field day is $25 per person (including the cost of lunch and snacks). Sign-ups can be done by contacting Darryl Birkenfeld at darryl@ogallalacommons.org or by phone at (806) 945-2255. Registration can be also be paid at the door.
