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Water Usage & Conservation Print
WATER USAGE AND CONSERVATION!
Here's an overview of this week's 3 hour homeowner radio broadcast
8/7/21 (running time 8-11AM)
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Outdoor Living Hour - Farm Fresh with Arizona Farm Bureau 
Julie Murphree with the AZ Farm Bureau joins us with special guest John Boelts of Desert Premium Farms! Together, we'll be discussing #OrganicVSTraditionalFarming |
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On The House Hour: Water Usage & Conservation According to the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR), Arizona used about 7.1 million acre-feet of fresh water in 1957 — a figure that was actually lower — at 7.0 million acre-feet in 2017. An acre-foot is 325,850 gallons, enough to cover a football field in nearly a foot of water. Water saving isn't any single area of our life; it's every area of our life. How we steward that resource is our individual responsibility. The more we think about how our decisions affect water and in what part/form of its life cycle we are using, the better stewards we become... |
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Homeowner Topic: Open Home! Weekly To-Do Topic: #FlashFlood | July 2021 was the all-time wettest month in history. (Records go back to 1894). The extreme rain and dry soil were the perfect combinations for flash floods to occur – and they did, all over our state. Join us! We'll be discussing the many things you can do to ensure your safety before the storm starts.
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8:00AM - OUTDOOR LIVING HOUR! Arizona Farm Bureau! Organic Versus Traditional Farming!
Segment 1 (running time )
Julie Murphree of The Arizona Farm Bureau is joined by John Boelts of Desert Premium Farms in Yuma!
John discusses the farming operations and the growing season year round. From melons and greens to durum wheat, cotton and alfalfa. Explains why 2 crops are grown in a field.
John's family legacy of farming starting in Nebraska and eventually to Arizona.
The 20th Anniversary of the USDA Organic Food Rules. John talks about his experience doing both organic and traditional farming methods.
Organic farming presents a higher expense, labor intensive and challenging weed control. Growing to a standard based on consumer preference.
Segment 2 (running time )
Dan Glickman, the Clinton Administration’s Secretary of Agriculture who oversaw the organics designation. “It is not a statement about food safety. Nor is ‘organic’ a value judgment about nutrition or quality.” John clarifies what this really means.
Organic versus traditional farming have different methods to growing but it doesn't produce a completely different product.
There are many Arizona organic farmers. Discussion of the growth based on consumer demand.
Segment 3 (running time )
The difference between organic and traditional farming starts with the methods. Whats needed to get USDA Organic approval?
Traditional involves some man made practices. Organic involves all natural practices. Examples including pest control, fertilizer and weed control.
It takes 3 years to turn over a field to organic standards.
The enviromental take on organic and traditional production.
Segment 4 (running time )
John says the real thing we need to focus on between organic and traditional is?
Arizona Farm Bureau has many diverse members of farmers growing different crops. Anyone can join too!
Julie talks about the Arizona Farm Bureau's Centennial Red Wine. Find it at the Southwest Wine Center at Yavapai College.
9:00AM - ON THE HOUSE HOUR! Water! Usage And Conservation Facts!
Segment 1 (running time )
Julie Murphree is joined by Chelsea McGuire, Director Of Government Relations with The Arizona Farm Bureau. Arizona is using the same amount of water today as it did in 1957. The biggest user is Agriculture. And the biggest conservationists!
How farmers have decreased ag water withdrawl by 35% and still have a 23.3 Billion dollar industry.
Irrigation technologies! Starting with drip irrigation. Direct application to the root system using less evaporation and runoff. But Chelsea explains the limitations to the farmers.
Segment 2 (running time )
Water for food and drinking are not mutually exclusive.
Discussion of sprinkler technology. Including center pivot linear system. Allows to spray from the top the right amount of water for seed germination.
Seed development technology biologically using less water to grow. Discussion of the biotech seeds that is strictly regulated.
Segment 3 (running time )
Discussion of 'The Alfalfa Project'. Using sub surface drip irrigation that could save 100 million acre feet of water annually. Why this is something to pay attention to for Arizona. And why grow alfalfa? Chelsea explains!
Discussion of flood irrigation. Conserving water by lazer leveling the rows. Leveling the exact slope from one end to another. Tailwater pumpback systems ensures water is not wasted at the end of the row.
Segment 4 (running time )
Water conservation and management techniques benefits everyone because they use the most water. Over decades, using less has made significant impacts in an effective water supply.
Segment 1 (running time )
Rosie Remodeling's Bruce Stumbo joins the show!
Romey's discovery of shelter beds made by Vortex Vaults
TEXT: A homeowner has stucco damage under the eaves caused by woodpeckers. Suggestions on how to keep them out.
TEXT: Looking for ways to eliminate grass around the fruit trees. Considering solarization. Any other suggestions?
Segment 2 (running time )
TEXT: Looking for an opinion on ductless air conditioners. Also know as Mini-Splits. Bruce discusses details on what to consider.
Segment 3 (running time )
Sanderson Ford
CALLER: During an inspection of a new build home in progress, the bathroom tub drain pipe was installed by cutting into the slab then covering most of the hole with cement. She asked the inspector about it and told that common. Bruce and Romey detail why its so and the difference between the foundationa and the slab.
CALLER: Wants to intall a mini-split in the garage. How to determine the cost of electricity to run it per month?
Weekly To Do on preparing and avoiding Flash Floods
Segment 4 (running time )
Based on the caller who had the slab cut for the drain pipe install, they explain what involved with a concrete box out.
CALLER: Is it fine to supercool the home on the weekends when its completely off peak rates?
Mention of Vuelift panoramic glass elevators as an alternative to stairs in the home for those with walking issues.