As people's needs and priorities change, program priorities must change too. The Idaho Cooperative Extension System has over 140 faculty strategically located throughout the state, including 84 agricultural agents and home economists stationed in 42 of 44 counties. Water Quality Survey Water is the lifeblood of Idaho, and water quality is an important part of Extension's effort in our state. Even a large portion of tourist revenues in Idaho is tied to attractions with water. We must protect water quality to maintain our high standard of living and uniquely rich quality of life in Idaho.
Extension has a tradition of working in areas that affect water quality.
For instance, CES employees provide accurate fertilizer recommendations, pesticide information and irrigation management recommendations based on the latest research. These have a positive impact on water quality. Extension faculty were surveyed in 1990 to document programming areas related to water quality and to quantify the amount of time expended in water quality related efforts. In 1990, University of Idaho Extension faculty devoted over 6,000 employee days to programming in water quality-related issues. Some of this time was redirected from other areas.