Farmers, ranchers, Master Naturalists, agency personnel, educators, and the interested public are invited to attend the next Stewarding Our Aquifer Field Day (SOA) presented by Ogallala Commons (www.ogallalacommons.org) on Tuesday, September 16th from 10:00a.m.-2:00p.m. at Samuel Jackson, LLC., located at 3900 Upland Ave in Lubbock, Texas.

The purpose of the educational event is to provide information about management practices that can reduce groundwater depletion in the region, improve recharge of the Ogallala Aquifer, as well as assist in the transition from irrigated agriculture to rainfed agriculture.

“This field day is a follow-up to our Rainwater Harvesting Conference” notes Dr. Darryl Birkenfeld, Ogallala Commons Deputy Director. “Back in March, we were introduced to several practitioners who are collecting large amounts of rainwater, and now in September, we will tour the 190,000-gallon system that is operating at Samuel Jackson, LLC.”

Doors open at 9:30 a.m. at the Rain Park R&D Center, Gayle Craft Room at Samuel Jackson, Inc. The opening presentation at 10:10a.m., “Utilizing Collected Rainwater for Industrial Applications” will be given by Chris Jackson, to provide general information and an overview of the company’s efforts. At 10:40a.m., Mr. Jackson will lead attendees on a tour of the rainwater collection system, and a demonstration of how the water is used in cotton processing at Samuel Jackson, LLC.

After a short break, a sandwich lunch will be served at 11:30a.m., and then at 12:15p.m., attendees will travel to At'l Do Farms (a 15-minute drive) located near Shallowater, TX, to view water conservations practices and visit The Tap, an art installation. At 2:00 p.m., the Field Day will adjourn.

Registration for the event is $25 per person (which includes the cost of lunch and snacks).

AGENDA:

9:30am: Doors Open with Registration & Snacks at Samuel Jackson, LLC., Rain Park R&D Center, Gayle Craft Room. Park on east side of campus in the south or north covered parking areas in any space not marked “Reserved”.

10:00am Welcome & Overview: Darryl Birkenfeld, Deputy Director, Ogallala Commons, Nazareth, TX

10:10am Utilizing Collected Rainwater for Industrial Applications" Chris Jackson, Samuel Jackson, LLC., Lubbock, TX

10:40am Walking Tour of Rainwater Harvesting Facility & More

11:20am: Break

11:30am Lunch: in the Carlie Owen Dining Area at the Rain Park R&D Center (Sandwich Boxes from McAlister’s Deli)

12:15pm Travel to: At’l Do Farms near Shallowater, TX 6323 FM1294, Lubbock, TX 79415

12:30pm Overview of: At’l Do Farms, Walking Tour & a visit to The Tap

2:00pm Adjourn