Thursday, Dec 27 2012 8:26PM
Researchers are exploring new ways to help lower the harmful ramifications of drought in Colorado.
Colorado State University agricultural economists are designing new measures to help rural farmers mitigate the effects of drought in the future, according to the Julesburg Advocate.
The professionals received $35,000 from the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the Colorado Department of Agriculture to conduct their research and seek solutions. For farmers who raise crops and livestock in Colorado, access to water system services is essential for rural economic development.
"The question we ultimately want to address is, 'How do we improve the resiliency of agriculture and rural communities in Colorado?' because we expect more drought," CSU Associate Professor James Pritchett told the news source. "It's time to make these systems more resilient so they can adapt to the changes ahead."
The 2012 drought that impacted the Midwest this summer had a heavy financial impact on the rural economy. The Department of Agriculture noted that 80 percent of agricultural lands were impacted and 1,692 counties were declared federal disaster areas. The drought was named the worst since the Dust Bowl in the 1950s.
For more information, check out this resource: The Julesburg Advocate