Founder
Utah Agricultural Land Trust
Bio:
Deborah Van Noy is founder and a board member of Utah Agricultural Land Trust located in Logan. Recognizing the need for land conservation tailored solely to the needs of Utah's agricultural producers, UALT was founded to support these landowners by securing the local, state and federal funding to purchase development rights associated with their agricultural land and keeping that land in its natural state. Deborah's farming and ranching experience began in northern Montana where her grandfather was a dryland wheat farmer who also raised beef cattle in a small farming community near the Canadian border. Deborah's desire to preserve Utah's farming heritage and continue agriculture’s role in Utah's vibrant and broad economic base has been the guiding beacon for her work in agricultural land protection. Deborah studied economics and development at the American University in Washington, D.C. while working at President Ronald Reagan's Council of Economic Advisors. She later received her MBA from the University of Phoenix.
Title: Agriculture, Conservation & Water for Great Salt Lake
Abstract: Deborah will discuss agriculture's role in restoring Great Salt Lake. Many waterways used by farmers are tributaries leading to the GSL basin. In Box Elder County, flood irrigation is widely practices and its return flows enter GSL through the groundwater and direct return flows to the rivers. The value of flood irrigation is being recognized as the conversation turns to in-stream flows and groundwater recharge. Agriculture's value includes not only its generational tradition in Utah but also its open space and habitat benefits to our state's wildlife. Utah Agricultural Land Trust supports agricultural producers in their efforts to assure continued farming and ranching in Utah. At the core of our work is belief that the careful stewardship of our land and our waterways is a preferred alternative to other land uses and plays an integral role in preserving Great Salt Lake.
