USDA Blog: Arizona tribes using water wisely to live off the land

During my visit, I had the opportunity to meet with three tribal nations, the Colorado River Indian Tribes, the Gila River Indian Community and the San Carlos Apache Tribe, and see how they worked with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to use water wisely – doing a job better.

While visiting with the Colorado River Indian Tribes, I saw the many irrigation improvements designed and partially funded by NRCS and installed by the Tribes in an effort to conserve water. Conserving water and using just the right amount needed on-time continues to be critical to the success of their operation.

Mile upon mile of inefficient dirt waterways had been replaced by concrete waterways to preserve water. The tribal farming operation grows alfalfa for domestic and international consumption. Cotton was grown, harvested and ginned by the tribe’s members.