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ASU sustainability scientist researches cotton farming in Arizona's dry climate


September 12, 2013

Arizona has five Cs: copper, cattle, citrus, climate and cotton. In September’s Green Living AZ Magazine, the latest in cotton research, farmer livelihood and climate change impacts are highlighted by Michelle Talsma Everson.

In the article, Arizona State University researcher Hallie Eakin shares insights from her research on water management by cotton farmers.

"Because cotton farmers in central Arizona rely almost exclusively on irrigation, they tend not to worry about rainfall," says Eakin, a sustainability scientist in ASU's Global Institute of Sustainability and associate professor and graduate director in ASU's School of Sustainability. "But, in turn, they need sufficient water through irrigation efforts, and a lot of that water is affected by the Colorado Basin."

ASU's Decision Center for a Desert City is funding the study, along with the Sectoral Applications Research Program (SARP) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Program Office. Eakin is part of a team made up of researchers from ASU and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. They hope this study will alleviate any misconceived notions about cotton farmers and assist cotton growers, policymakers and urban planners in water conservation and sustainable agriculture in Arizona’s arid climate.

"The cotton farmers who have stuck it out in the industry are pretty committed to being here," says Eakin. "They of course want cotton farming to continue, and this study can help address what that means for water availability, electricity and more."

Article source: Green Living AZ Magazine

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