water rights | Ag Proud

From conflict to collaboration

September 9, 2024

While chatting with a grower recently, he shared a saying he once heard: “You can mess with a guy’s wife, but you can’t mess with his water.” Depending on your sense of humor, that saying might come across as a bit crude, but I use it because it paints a picture of the realities of Western water disputes.

Finding balance: Idaho’s water challenges and potential solutions

Idaho growers share their frustration over water curtailment during a year of excess water, stressing the need for better distribution management and urging long-term solutions to avoid future challenges.

August 26, 2024

Cassidy Woolsey

“I’m getting fatigued on the problem. I want to focus on solutions,” says Jake Stander, a fifth-generation grower near Blackfoot.

Buying some time

July 8, 2024

Cassidy Woolsey

While this agreement is a significant step forward, it does not address the underlying issues in managing the aquifer. It merely buys some time for the state to formulate a more practical and effective management strategy before we find ourselves in a similar situation in the next growing season.

New hire: Kendra Kaiser, Idaho Water Resources Research Institute

July 8, 2024

Cassidy Woolsey

Ag Proud – Idaho would like you to meet Kendra Kaiser.

Agreement made to lift 2024 water curtailment order

June 20, 2024

Cassidy Woolsey

On June 20, the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) announced the approval of a comprehensive agreement between the Surface Water Coalition (SWC) and the groundwater districts in the Eastern Snake Plain region for the 2024 irrigation season.

Q&A with Mathew Weaver, Idaho Department of Water Resources

January 16, 2024

Cassidy Woolsey

Mathew Weaver was appointed by Gov. Brad Little as the new director of the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) last September. Ag Proud – Idaho’s Cassidy Woolsey caught up with Weaver to learn more about him, his priorities as director and other topics important for water users in the state of Idaho.

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Progressive Events: State dairy leaders discuss ongoing efforts to protect and promote Washington’s dairy industry

January 3, 2024

Kimmi Devaney

The Washington Dairy Conference, held Dec. 4-6 in Chehalis, Washington, featured hot topics facing the state’s dairy industry, a chance to meet with state agricultural leaders, and ample networking time for attendees and trade show exhibitors.

RancHER: Jeanette Lombardo: Advocating for the ag way of life

July 27, 2023

Carrie Veselka

Jeanette Lombardo is the executive director of the Farmer Veteran Coalition based in Waco, Texas.

Water calls and the new methodology behind it

June 20, 2023

Lynn Jaynes

There is frustration statewide that in such a wet year there are water curtailments called. It’s also understandable that when water is at issue, it will be controversial. Here's a look at the methodology used to make the water calls.