Sustainable water management is critical for agriculture operations across the southern United States. Water quality and water quantity issues vary among states, but often technical resource and programming needs look similar across state boundaries. Gaps in federal water program resources and faculty/staff turnover have resulted in a lacking network among water-focused Extension professionals across the South. A core group of collaborators acquired a Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (S-SARE) grant funds to bring these professionals together and encourage farmer participation as a means to increase adoption of sustainable water management practices.

Extension faculty and staff representing Land Grant Universities across the southern US hosted a water conference in July 2019 to provide training and collaboration opportunities for county Extension agents, farmers, and other Extension colleagues. Extension specialists from the University of Kentucky served on the conference planning committee, presented a session on KY’s Backyard Streams Program, facilitated a Kentucky farmer to attend as a workshop presenter, and assisted in the conference evaluation efforts.

As a result of attending the 2019 Southern Region Water Conference 93% of respondents Agreed or Strongly Agreed that their knowledge of water resource management issues and best practices increased; 95% of respondents Agreed or Strongly Agreed that they will be able to use information from the conference in their own activities and programs; 75% of respondents Agreed or Strongly Agreed that they plan to adopt a practice they learned about during the conference; 63% of respondents Agreed or Strongly Agreed that they plan to change at least one of their current practices based on what they learned; and 89% of respondents Agreed or Strongly Agreed that they established a new working collaboration as a result of the conference. Further, at least two new S-SARE project proposals have been developed as a result of relationships developed at the conference.

While face-to-face meetings and conferences can be costly and time-consuming, there is value in continuing these types of information exchanges that include presentations, field experiences, voices from farmers, and small group interaction.