LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KRQE) – A team from the New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service has launched a new game to teach players about the effects of water use decisions on farms. USDA offering emergency loans to New Mexico farmers, ranchers impacted by drought “Cozy R iver Valley” focuses on balancing water consumption, community, environment and financial well-being. It is a data-informed simulation of changing climate conditions predicted during the next 60 years. The crops featured in the game are based on real crops with real data. “Game design allows users to witness both the short- and long-term effects of their choices on the aquifer and asks that they make decisions in response to challenges faced daily by farmers, including extreme weather, market fluctuations, land use changes and even lawsuits,” Amy Smith Muise, Innovative Media Research and Extension editor, said in a news release. “Players see how individual and community actions during dry years affect water availability, showcasing the value of talking with neighbors and seeking help from the local Cooperative Extension Service.”  This game was supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture and in collaboration with the University of California, Merced and the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute.  To learn more or play the game, click here.   ...read more read less