Skaggs, Rhonda, authorDemouche, Leeann, authorHolmes, Tyler, authorSamani, Zohrab, authorBawazir, A. Salim, authorU.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher2020-07-302020-07-302011-04https://hdl.handle.net/10217/210965Presented at Emerging challenges and opportunities for irrigation managers: energy, efficiency and infrastructure: a USCID water management conference held on April 26-29, 2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.Numerous rapidly growing urban areas in the western United States are located in irrigated river valleys. Agricultural irrigation in these communities is being affected by urbanization, and the characteristics and objectives of the irrigator population are also changing. New Mexico's Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) encompasses the rapidly growing Albuquerque metropolitan area. The South Valley is one of the state's oldest traditional agricultural communities, and is located on the southern fringe of Albuquerque within the MRGCD. South Valley irrigated agriculture is in a state of transition, and many lands that were previously used to produce a diverse mix of fruits, vegetables, grains and forages have been converted into commercial and residential development. A few relatively large farms continue to operate in the area; however, hundreds of small or micro-scale irrigated properties are located in the South Valley. These small rural-residential properties predominately apply MRGCD irrigation water to hay and pasture. Little is known about agronomic, irrigation, or marketing practices on South Valley micro-farms, as well as the economic outcomes or impacts of irrigation water use. A team of New Mexico State University researchers is currently surveying MRGCD irrigators, measuring alfalfa consumptive use, and attempting to quantify the economic impact of South Valley irrigated agriculture.born digitalproceedings (reports)engCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.Text