Events to focus on agricultural drought planning

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension is offering evening drought workshops to focus on the current drought and challenges for farmers to address with long-term planning.

Mike Buschelman, a water rights surveyor and consultant, will explain specific water rights provisions that allow flexibility in the way owners of water rights can use their water, provisions that may be helpful in low-water years. Representatives from the local water delivery system — Water Master or Irrigation District — will also be on hand.

The workshops will include a discussion of changes that agricultural producers can consider to increase their resiliency to drought. Participants will also discuss other changes that producers can consider as they face a future where droughts may last longer than in the past. Each class will be tailored to the conditions and rules governing irrigation in the local agricultural community.

The workshops, each at 6 p.m., will be offered April 13 at Douglas County Cooperative Extension in Gardnerville; April 15 at Pershing County Cooperative Extension in Lovelock; April 29 at Churchill County Extension Office in Fallon; and May 13 at Lyon County Cooperative Extension in Yerington.

The cost is $5 and includes all materials and light refreshments.

For more information, call John Cobourn at 775-336-0244. Anyone who needs special accommodations or assistance are asked to call at least three days prior to the scheduled event.

For more about drought-related challenges or to register for the workshops, go to www.livingwithdrought.com, and click on the “Events” section of the website.