Making water work in a drier Delta: UADA seminar to build on water risk assessment study

March 2, 2026

By Ryan McGeeney
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

Fast Facts

Seminar is first of three planned public meetings
Researchers seeking public input on water use, risk perception among farmers
Register online

(293 words)

MARIANNA, Ark. — Researchers and extension specialists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are seeking public input to assess water use among farmers and ranchers on March 6 at the Lonn Mann Cotton Research Station in Marianna.

WATER WORKS — As part of ongoing efforts to develop public awareness about a hydrological, agricultural and economic model for water use and risk assessment, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture researchers and extension specialists will hold the first of three annual public involvement meetings on March 6 at the Lon Mann Cotton Research Station. (Division of Agriculture graphic.)

John Pennington, extension water quality educator for the Division of Agriculture, said the meeting will be the first of three scheduled public engagement meetings intended to assess water use and risk perceptions among farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers. The collected data will be used to develop hydrological and agronomic models for future water use and risk projections. The model will be used by economists, water managers, water users and decision makers regarding water use, water management and associated water policy, Pennington said.

“This program is a part of the stakeholder input and public outreach aspects of the project,” Pennington said. “I will be providing an overview of water quantity in Arkansas from the Arkansas Watershed Steward Program and its connection to the hydrological, agricultural model components and co-facilitating the stakeholder input session.”

The event’s scheduled agenda includes:

9 a.m. — Welcome and project overview
9:15 a.m. — Economics of the hydro/agricultural model
10 a.m. — Water quantity in Arkansas and the hydro/agricultural model
10:45 a.m. — Stakeholder input session
11:30 a.m. — Program wrap-up and next steps over lunch
12:00 p.m. — Adjourn

This research is funded in part by the National Science Foundation’s Division of Research, Innovation, Synergies, and Education. Collaborators on the project include co-principal investigators Kevin Befus, associate professor of geosciences at the University of Arkansas, and Kent Kovacs, associate professor of accounting, economics and finance at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Attendance is free, and lunch will be provided, but registration is requested. Interested individuals can register online or email Pennington at jhpennington@uada.edu.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu. 

About the Division of Agriculture  

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.   

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.  

Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution. 

Event EEO statement

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact John Pennington at 870-329-7009 as soon as possible.  Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.

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Media Contact:
Ryan McGeeney
rmcgeeney@uada.edu
501-671-2120