Original USDA-Funded Research

From 2016-2021, under the original USDA-funded grant, our team engaged in highly interdisciplinary research, education and extension guided by the following five Objectives:

Nontraditional Irrigation Water Sources

Evaluate the availability (quantity and quality) of nontraditional irrigation water sources that can be used to conserve groundwater. (Research)

Innovative Extension and Outreach

Integrate research findings into preeminent extension and outreach programs for agricultural and nonagricultural communities. (Extension)

Societal Context

Identify the social, behavioral, economic and regulatory factors that impact the current use of nontraditional irrigation water sources and might impact the integration of new on-farm water treatment technologies developed to treat these sources. (Research)

Experiential Education

Translate research findings into high-quality, experiential educational programs that will teach, train, and inspire the next generation of leaders engaged in sustainable water reuse on food crops. (Education)

On-farm Water Treatment Technologies

Develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of on-farm water treatment technologies that can improve the chemical, microbial and physical quality of nontraditional (recycled) irrigation water sources and irrigated food crops. (Research)