A shortage of water has forced a demonstration farm in Coleambally to hit the pause button on the project.
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The community farm at Coleambally has put a temporary stop to crops being grown at the site due to a lack of water.
The farm, which has been running since 1996 and is owned by Murrumbidgee Council, has allowed community groups to grow crops for experimentation, demonstration or fund-raising purposes.
Groups such as the Lions Club, the Coleambally Blues and the Coleambally Community Club have used the farm to raise funds in the past, with more than $2 million raised since the beginning of the project.
Community farm committee chairman Steve Burgess said the decision was a necessity due to the ongoing effects of the drought.
"There's no water at the moment," Mr Burgess said.
"All the members on the committee are farmers and we are acutely aware of the situation."
Mr Burgess said the committee did not want to leave organisations stuck with a potential burden if crops struggle due to a lack of water as it could cut into any funds being raised.
"It's disappointing from a community point of view... those funds have got to be raised elsewhere," he said.
With the schedule for crops being grown on the farm planned out nine months in advance, Mr Burgess said the committee plans to monitor the situation going forward and reassess things if a change to water allocation is made but rain is needed first and foremost.
"Like with most farmers, we are just really waiting for rain," Mr Burgess said.
"It [the farm] does a lot of good, it gives organisations the chance to raise and generate funds... it all goes back to the community."
As of March 2, the amount of general security water allocated for Murrumbidgee Valley users remains unchanged at six per cent, while high security allocations remain at 95 per cent.
A preliminary outlook for the 2020-21 water year suggests the general security allocation will drop to zero per cent by July 1.
