The adage “out of sight, out of mind” does not apply when it comes to groundwater.
This below-the-surface resource is critical for the agricultural, industrial and community needs of the Mid-South region of the country and beyond. In 2005, Arkansas groundwater supplied approximately 7.5 billion gallons of water daily to the state, with almost 7 billion gallons used for irrigation alone, according to the Arkansas Office of the State Geologist.
Agriculture, a $24 billion industry in Arkansas, depends heavily on irrigation.
Edward Swaim, executive director of Bayou Meto Water Management District in Lonoke, emphasizes the importance of conserving and using groundwater effectively. Bayou Meto works to provide reliable and sustainable water resources for agriculture, conserve groundwater and support long-term water use for farmers.
“Groundwater is foundational for Arkansas, the Mid-South region and beyond,” Swaim said. “It supplies the majority of our state’s water that is used for irrigation. So it’s vital for groundwater levels to remain constant, or rise, to meet the state’s growing needs. The demand for water is certainly not decreasing.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
At the 12th annual Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference, Swaim will present “Groundwater Law & Agriculture in the Mid-South: Taking Stock of the Road Ahead.” The conference will be June 5-6 in Memphis, co-hosted by the National Agricultural Law Center and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Foundation.
In a previous role with the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, Swaim helped update the Arkansas Water Plan, of which a major component is groundwater allocation and efficient utilization.
“At the Mid-South conference, I will cover how Arkansas uses, measures and addresses challenges to groundwater availability,” Swaim said. “I will also cover what other Mid-South states are doing in this regard. There is a lot we can learn from each other.”
Before the main conference sessions on June 6, the annual Beer & BBQ networking dinner will be held on the evening of June 5 at Charlie Vergos Rendezvous.
Registration and information is available at nationalaglawcenter.org/midsouth2025.
“Groundwater trends and issues are frequently at the forefront of agricultural and environmental law discussions, especially in water-intensive regions like the Mid-South,” said NALC Director Harrison Pittman.
“We’re looking forward to hearing from Ed on what Arkansas and surrounding states are doing to monitor and address groundwater challenges.”
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION
The Mid-South conference will be submitted for CLE accreditation in Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.
Approval for CE will also be sought from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. Those who register by May 13 are eligible for bonus CLE/CE through the online conference “Early Bird” on May 14.
The NALC is a unit of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and works in close partnership with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, National Agricultural Library.
For information about the NALC, visit nationalaglawcenter.org.
Drew Viguet is with the National Agricultural Law Center, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.