鈥淭his grant is an incredible opportunity to address a complex societal challenge鈥攅nsuring sustainable water use in agriculture,鈥� Kovacs said. 鈥淣o single discipline can solve this problem alone. We need interdisciplinary teams that combine economic modeling with hydrological data to understand how farmers respond to risk and changing water availability.鈥�

The $745,594 three-year project will integrate economic, hydrological, and social science models to examine how farmers make irrigation decisions, particularly in groundwater-dependent agricultural systems like the Lower Mississippi River Basin. The research findings will help policymakers and water resource managers develop strategies for sustainable water use amid increasing climate challenges.

鈥淒r. Kovacs’ research addresses a critical challenge for Arkansas and beyond鈥攈ow farmers manage water resources in the face of increasing drought conditions,鈥� said Thomas Clifton, interim dean of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services.听

鈥淭his grant from the National Science Foundation showcases the impact of his work and the innovative research happening at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. His findings will provide valuable insights that can help shape more sustainable agricultural practices and water conservation strategies.”

Agriculture is one of the largest consumers of water, and droughts can severely impact crop production. Kovacs鈥� project aims to determine how the risk preferences of  farmers affect their response to drought: either by taking more conservative water management approaches or if economic pressures lead to faster depletion of groundwater resources.

The study will use surveys of farmers to measure their risk preferences and incorporate this data into economic and hydrological models. These models will simulate how irrigation decisions change over time, particularly during prolonged droughts, and predict whether farmers will adapt to drier conditions or overuse aquifers, potentially necessitating future public policy interventions.

鈥淚f our models suggest a rapid decline of aquifer resources, it may indicate the need for policy changes鈥攚hether through water use regulations, incentives, or conservation programs,鈥� Kovacs said. 鈥淏illions of dollars are invested in  irrigated crop agriculture in Arkansas, making it the state’s second-highest revenue-generating agricultural activity after poultry. Understanding how irrigated farming impacts our goods and services from water resources  is crucial for the livelihoods of Arkansans and the future of our state’s economy.鈥�

Kovacs is collaborating with co-principal investigators Dr. Kevin Befus, associate professor of geosciences at the University of Arkansas, and Dr. Mike Daniels, professor and extension soil and water conservation scientist, and John Pennington, water quality educator, from the . The project will include three stakeholder workshops with farmers, researchers, businesses, state and federal agencies, and policymakers to ensure the research is grounded in real-world challenges and practical solutions.

The grant will also support education and outreach initiatives, including curriculum development and student training, with an emphasis on engaging non-traditional students in water resource management research.

鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled to receive this grant,鈥� Kovacs said. 鈥淭his research will not only contribute to scientific understanding but also provide practical insights for farmers and policymakers, helping ensure long-term water sustainability for future generations.鈥�

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Economist Awarded Nearly $750K NSF Grant to Study Water Use in Agriculture appeared first on News.

After years of challenges and hard work, she鈥檚 ready to turn her lifelong passion for marine biology into a reality, taking the first step on a career path that leads to her ultimate goal of working with sharks.

Her path to success wasn鈥檛 a straight line. After leaving college in Wisconsin at 18 due to financial difficulties, she spent years working in factories and other tough jobs to make ends meet. But at 25, she made a life-changing decision to return to school, enrolling at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2018.

鈥淚t was a gut decision,鈥� Edwards said. 鈥淚 wanted to start fresh, and 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock gave me that chance.鈥�

Edwards was a part-time student for many years, which gave her the flexibility to work full-time. She became a full-time student in 2022, which gave her more opportunities to pursue internships and become involved in student activities like the Biology Club and being a learning assistant.

鈥淎s I got older, I found friends and mentors who challenged me,鈥� Edwards said. 鈥淚 started to grow and started enjoying being a student because I could really embrace it by interacting with faculty, students, and mentors.鈥�

Now 32, Edwards is set to graduate with a degree in biology with a concentration in ecology and organismal biology.

Along the way, she embraced opportunities that fed her passion for marine biology. A pivotal moment came during a 2023 internship in South Africa, where she conducted research with the Shark Research Unit.

鈥淲e tagged smaller sharks, observed great white feeding habits, and even performed autopsies on sharks affected by orca attacks,鈥� she recalled. 鈥淚 cried the first time I saw a great white. It was incredible.鈥�

Edwards also gained valuable experience as an environmental consulting intern and through fieldwork with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, exploring areas from pest management to air quality permits.

Despite balancing part-time school, full-time work, and life鈥檚 challenges, Edwards never lost sight of her dream of studying sharks.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been my obsession since I was five,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y entire life is Shark Week.鈥�

After graduation, Edwards plans to work in the fisheries industry as a stepping stone toward her ultimate goal of becoming a marine biologist. Looking back, she credits her growth to her experience at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淚 made the best friends I鈥檝e ever had and found mentors who challenged me to grow,鈥� Jessica said. 鈥淏eing a non-traditional student came with challenges, but it鈥檚 shaped me in ways I wouldn鈥檛 trade.鈥�

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Graduate Pursues Passion to Become Marine Biologist appeared first on News.