Outreach/Extension

My outreach and extension program focuses on generating and sharing knowledge about the people, businesses, markets, resources, and policies that shape agricultural systems and food value chains. This includes production, lending, logistics, processing, distribution, and marketing activities. A central aim is to assess and communicate how this knowledge can be used to enhance and strengthen agricultural and food systems in Colorado.

Consistent with the land-grant mission, I integrate research and scholarship directly into my extension activities. This approach broadens the reach of my research, teaching, and outreach, extending the impact beyond the university to include producers, lenders, industry partners, public agencies, and community members. In this role, I regularly collaborate with stakeholders across the agricultural sector and the broader public.

My current work centers on three themes: agricultural water management, sustainable cropping and livestock systems, and agricultural business management. In addition to disciplinary and interdisciplinary scholarship, I emphasize engaged research that entails reciprocal involvement with community members and external partners. I particularly value scholarship that builds multi-stakeholder partnerships and seeks synergistic opportunities to improve both agricultural outcomes and community well-being. Selected publications and examples of these partnerships are provided below.

Outreach and Extension Initiatives

Use the links below to learn more about recent outreach and Extension initiatives:

Extension and Outreach Publications

"Water Conservation on Grass Pastures in the Upper Colorado River Basin is Critcial but Complex: Here's What it Will Take." 2025. Report 25-01, RAISE Lab (Responding to Agricultural Issues with Science and Engagement), Department of Agricultural and Resource.

“Economic Analysis of Flex Cropping Decisions for Dryland Wheat Rotations: Field- and Farm-level Research Questions.” 2025. Field Report. In, Dryland Agricultural Research Field Day Booklet, Akron, CO. (D. Mooney, D. Hoag, K. Mankin)

“Cowpea Potential in Dryland Cropping Systems.” 2024. Field Report. In, USDA-ARS Dryland Agricultural Research Field Day Booklet, Akron, CO, June 11, 2024. (D. Mooney, M. Spear, J. Schneekloth, J. Davis)

“Incorporation of Grain Legumes into Irrigated and Dryland Crop Rotations.” 2024. In, Making Better Decisions: 2023 Colorado Dry Bean Variety Performance Trials. Technical Report TR 23-5, Agricultural Experiment Station, Colorado State University. (M. Spear, A. Afkairin, P. Cabot, J. Davis, J. Dillon, S. Fonte, D. Mooney, J. Schneekloth, and J. Vivanco).

"Hemp Value Chains at Ten Years" 2023. Regional Economic Development Institute (REDI) Report. Colorado State University Extension (D.F. Mooney, R. Hill). (Read online) 

"Limited Irrigation Strategies for Water Sharing: From Economic Feasibility to Policy and Commercial Viability." Global Water Forum, May 2023. (D.F. Mooney, D. Hoag, Z. Rasul, A. Andales) (Read online)

“Research at the Subsurface Irrigation Efficiency Program (SIEP) Farm.” 2022. Subsurface Irrigation Efficiency Project (SIEP) Report. August, 2022. (D.F. Mooney, J. Sitterson, A. Andales, M. Capurro, Z. Rasul) (Read online) 

"Colorado Cow-Calf Business Benchmarks”. 2022. Total Ranch Analysis for Colorado (TRAC) Priorities Report. Colorado State University, College of Agricultural Sciences. (R. Rhoades, D.F. Mooney) (Read online)

"The Ownership of Enterprise in Colorado: Agricultural and Community-Based Cooperatives." 2022. Regional Economic Development Institute (REDI) Report. Colorado State University Extension. (D.F. Mooney, S. Kim, M. Sullins, D. Thilmany) (Read online) 

"Hemp Industry Detailed Analysis." 2021. In, Colorado Hemp Advancement and Management Plan. State of Colorado. March, 2021. (D.F. Mooney, R. Hill) (Read online) 

"Comparing the Field-Level Profitability of Irrigated Cropping Activities for Temporary Water Transfers." 2020. Colorado Water 37(2):12–15. (D.F. Mooney, J. Blumberg, T. Kelley)

“BQA-Certified Producers Earn More per Head Sold.” 2020. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. (D.F. Mooney, J. Ahola) (Read online) 

“Colorado’s Mid-scale to Small Meat Value Chain.” 2020. Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council (COFSAC) Issue Brief (B. Angelo, J. Moore, D.F. Mooney, M. Sullins, B. Jablonski, D. Thilmany) (Read online)

"Colorado Beef Producers Needs Assessment." 2018. Priorities Report. College of Agricultural Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. (R. Rhoades, D.F. Mooney)

Selected Outreach and Extension Partnerships

Through the Subsurface Irrigation Efficiency Project (SIEP), I work with local partners (public agencies, private industry, farmers) and CSU colleagues to establish, manage, and analyze a commercial-scale demonstration project of deficit-irrigated alfalfa. This irrigation strategy potentially contributes to water scarcity solutions but faces barriers to commercialization. Evaluating the strategy at a commercial scale would not be possible through primary research alone, yet it is valuable information for real-world decision-making. The project provides new technical knowledge and helps convene stakeholders to identify research priorities and long-term relationship building to inform policy. It is supported by grants from the Platte River Water Development Authority. In an outreach article in Global Water Forum we identify several areas for further translational research (water savings variability, water conveyance, salinity, operation size) that are needed to help make this strategy commercially feasible and more policy appropriate. (Read more)

To assess hemp value chains, I worked directly with local, state, and national partners and academic colleagues to develop objective information about hemp value chains in Colorado and nationally. Data availability and reliability in this emerging industry is a challenge. Focus groups and interviews with growers and processors, and regular meetings with USDA economists and regulators helped identify available data and ensure accurate interpretation. Related to this effort, I gave virtual presentations at national meetings for extension, farm business management, and policy professionals. I also helped develop a national USDA-AMS survey of hemp production costs and practices (under review at U.S. Federal Government, Office of Management and Budget, Federal Register 85 FR 65788). An output I coauthored for local stakeholders appeared in the Colorado Hemp Advancement and Management Plan published by the State of Colorado. This team-based effort earned the CSU College of Agricultural Sciences Summit Team Research Award. (Read more)

To evaluate the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program, I worked directly with private industry and CSU colleagues to develop empirically based evidence on the value of ranch BQA certification in the livestock supply chain. Historically, this supply chain has experienced unobservable quality defects and the BQA program provides education to remedy these challenges. The analysis was possible due to industry-provided data on cattle lots with and without BQA status and other characteristics needed to control for other factors influencing lot prices. A CSU team analyzed the data, interpreted the results, and collaborated on developing policy recommendations. I also presented findings directly to community partners and the National Cattlemen's Business Association (NCBA). The effort was supported by a NCBA grant. (Read more)