Agriculture Advisory Council

 

The Agriculture Advisory Council (AgAC) was established in the spring of 2024 and is comprised of 19  members from the Utah Farm Bureau Federation.  Agriculture plays a key role in Utah’s Colorado River allocation. Approximately 62% of Colorado River water use in Utah is for agriculture. For a century and a half, Utah's farmers have been stewards of our water resources. They have constructed reservoirs and canals, excavated ditches, and prepared land to maximize the beneficial use of water. By working together, we can ensure that water rights are protected, efficiently used, and strategically managed to benefit both the agricultural community and the broader needs of the state.

Co-Chair: Steve Hanberg- Steve owns and operates a farm in Uintah County. He has worked in the oil and gas industry and has owned an irrigation supply company. He serves as Trustee for Central Utah Water Conservation District, Associated Water Users, Ouray Park Irrigation Company, Uintah Conservation District, and Utah Farm Bureau. Steve earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Utah State University.

Cody Wilkins Cody runs cattle in Utah and Wyoming. He is based in Jensen, Utah, where his family has ranched for 5 generations. He owns a trucking company that serves both local and domestic routes. He serves as Trustee for the Uintah Cattlemen's Association, Utah Farm Bureau, and the Northeastern GIP Board.

Shane Rowley - Shane has been engaged in various aspects and capacities of production Agriculture his entire life.  He has served in multiple agricultural leadership roles, including Duchesne County Cattleman’s President, Duchesne County Farm Bureau President, Utah Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Committee, and the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer & Rancher Committee. Shane has been and continues to be involved in promoting agriculture and educating others about the vital role it plays in providing quality of life for the citizens of Utah.  Water is the cornerstone of agriculture’s success in Utah.  Shane understands just how important water conservation and management are to the future success and security of Utah’s citizens.  He and his family ranch in Duchesne County and live in Altonah, Utah.

Dave Evans- Dave is a respected figure in Duchesne County's agricultural community. He combines practical ranching experience with a strong academic foundation in natural resource management. A graduate of Utah State University, Mr. Evans was recognized as both Undergraduate Researcher of the Year and Student of the Year in 2006. He has owned and operated Lusty Cattle Company since 1986 while actively contributing to local organizations such as the Duchesne County Conservation District and Farm Bureau. Mr. Evans is committed to responsible land stewardship.

Gayle McKeachnie- Born and raised in the Uintah Basin, Gayle is a renowned lawyer specializing in water rights. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Utah College of Law and has dedicated his career to water-related legal issues, representing numerous irrigation companies and water districts. His expertise extends to financing and constructing water infrastructure projects, including water lines, storage tanks, and treatment plants.  Gayle's influence extends to the political arena, having served in the Utah House of Representatives, where he championed legislation on water conservation, education, and economic development. He has also held prominent positions on various boards and commissions, including the Utah State Constitutional Revision Commission and the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands (SITLA) Board.  A respected figure in Utah's legal and political landscape, Gayle has received numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Lawyer of the Year award from the Utah State Bar Association and recognition for his contributions to Utah School Trust Land law and Federal Mineral Lease Money Law. His commitment to public service is further evidenced by his role as Lieutenant Governor of Utah and advisor to Governor Jon M. Huntsman Jr.

Scott Chew- Scott is a member of the Utah House of Representatives and attended Utah State University. He is currently the Owner/Operator of Chew Ranch/Chew Livestock Family Co-op. He was appointed by the Governor to the Agriculture, Natural & Recreational Lands Team-along with the Wildlife Nominating Committee. He was the chairman of the Uintah Basin Conservation District for 5 years. Chew has been the co-chairman for the Uintah Basin Applied Resource Management for 11 years, along with being a Utah Farm Bureau Board Member for 12 years. He was also on the Farm Service Committee for 9 years.

Shane Frost- Shane Frost Rancher/Farmer in the Pelican Lake area in Uintah county, raising red angus /charolais cross cattle and growing mainly grass for the cattle and a little alfalfa hay.  Shane is currently serving as president of Ouray Park Irrigation Co. and Vice Chairman of Uintah Water Conservancy District

Brett Holmes

Brian Peterson

Calvin Crandall

Dorrell Barker

Dusty Huntington

Gordon Moon

Lynn Swenson

Rodger Ames

Steven Tew

Trent Potter

Troy Rindlisbacher

Tyson Murray

 

2026 Recommendations to the Board

With negotiations concluding February 14, 2026, Utah's agricultural community faces unprecedented uncertainty. Our livelihoods, our communities, and our way of life depend on the outcome of these negotiations. We are genuinely worried about our future.

Core Concerns

  1. Compact Call Risk
    A Compact call would devastate Utah agriculture. Curtailments of post-1922 water rights would eliminate water supplies for thousands of acres of productive farmland and ranchland. We cannot survive 20-30 years of litigation while our fields go dry and our operations collapse.
  2. Inequitable Burden Sharing
    We cannot accept a settlement that places disproportionate conservation burdens on Utah agriculture while Lower Basin states continue inefficient practices and avoid necessary reductions. Arizona and California must make comparable sacrifices.
  3. Protection of Senior Water Rights
    Post-1922 water rights are already at risk in a Compact call scenario. Any negotiated settlement must protect senior water rights and not create new mechanisms for curtailment beyond what the Compact already requires.
  4. Voluntary vs. Mandatory Conservation
    Conservation commitments must remain voluntary, temporary, and adequately funded. Mandatory curtailments or unfunded conservation mandates will bankrupt family farms and ranches. If Utah commits to conservation targets, the state, or the federal government, must provide financial support to make participation viable.
  5. Loss of Development Rights
    Any agreement must preserve Utah's ability to develop unused Colorado River allocations for future agricultural growth. We cannot lock ourselves into current usage levels when our full allocation remains undeveloped.

Recommendations

  1. First, Do No Harm
    Do not accept an agreement that disproportionately burdens Utah agriculture or fails to hold Lower Basin states accountable. While we understand the serious risks of federal intervention and litigation, a poorly negotiated settlement could lock in permanent harm to Utah agriculture for generations. Better to negotiate firmly for a fair deal than to accept terms that sacrifice our future for expedience.
  2. Demand Lower Basin Accountability
    Insist that any seven-state agreement include binding, enforceable commitments from Arizona, California, and Nevada that are proportional to Upper Basin commitments. No deal should let the Lower Basin off the hook. At the same time, we need to make sure all the Basin states measure consumption use and evaporation in a uniform way. 
  3. Secure State Funding for Voluntary Conservation
    If Utah commits to conservation targets, both the state and federal governments must commit funding to support voluntary participation by agricultural water users. Compensation must not be based solely on theoretical models and reflect actual costs/lost production and reflect the true value of water.
  4. Maintain Communication with Agricultural Stakeholders
    As negotiations conclude, maintain transparent communication with agricultural water users. We need to understand what is being negotiated and how it affects our operations. Surprises after February 14 are unacceptable.
  5. Preserve Future Development Rights
    Ensure any agreement explicitly protects Utah's right to develop unused portions of its Colorado River allocation. Conservation commitments should be structured as temporary measures, not permanent caps.
  6. Prepare for All Outcomes
    Whether negotiations succeed or fail, develop contingency plans that protect Utah’s agriculture communities. If a Compact call occurs, we need state support for legal defense, operational assistance, and economic transition resources.

Bottom Line

Utah agriculture is not opposed to reasonable compromise. We understand our Compact obligations. We are willing to participate in voluntary, funded conservation efforts. But we will not be sacrificed to achieve a deal that protects other states at our expense.

Time is running out. Please stand firm on protecting agricultural interests, in demanding equity from all basin states, and in rejecting any settlement that leaves Utah agriculture worse off than we are today. Our future is in your hands. Negotiate wisely. Negotiate fairly. And if a fair deal cannot be reached, stand with us in whatever comes next.