Monday December 12, 2022

Utah, like much of the West, is facing a prolonged drought. And there’s been a lot of discussion of water conservation in urban areas. But agriculture uses at least four-fifths of water diverted in the state. And around 68 percent of that water is used for alfalfa and other hay products. We spoke to a reporter at The Salt Lake Tribune about the paper’s new series on this important crop. Plus, the Moab City Council will meet on Tuesday. The Moab Sun News has a preview of their agenda.

// Show Notes:

// Photo: Alfafa, seen at this farm in Nephi, is Utah’s most popular crop. But about a third of it’s value is exported overseas. (Creative Commons: inkknife_2000_)

// The Salt Lake Tribune: One crop uses more than half of Utah’s water. Here’s why.
https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2022/11/24/one-crop-uses-more-than-half/

// The Salt Lake Tribune: Why it’s time for Utah to buy out alfalfa farmers and let the water flow, Editorial Board writes
https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/editorial/2022/12/04/why-its-time-utah-buy-out/

// Moab Sun News
https://moabsunnews.com/

// Moab City Council
https://moabcity.org/151/City-Council