New Water

Generations for water Campaign

The future of agriculture depends on water.

Our water systems should foster vibrant agricultural communities, healthy ecosystems, and water justice for indigenous communities and other people of color. Public policy should protect water for agriculture, support on-farm conservation that can conserve and protect clean water resources, and ensure access to clean drinking water. We seek changes to improve access to critical conservation practices, as well as risk management programs that can protect farmers from droughts, floods, and other extreme weather. Lastly, we need investments in agriculture research to support access to irrigated farmland, clean drinking water, and promote responsible water use.
The National Young Farmers Coalition works across our network to protect water for agriculture, promote the good stewardship of that water, assist farmers and ranchers in adapting to drought and climate change, and provide young farmers and ranchers the resources they need to enter roles of water leadership. We do this through farmer-led policy reform, developing farmer leadership in water policy, and collaborative partnerships at the nexus of agriculture and conservation.
To ensure a future with farmers, we must first ensure a future with water, and young farmers are helping lead the way.
2022 Water Access Policy Recommendations

Learn about our Colorado Water and Equity Partnership.

Young Farmer Water Stories

Young Farmer Climate Perspectives: Kellee Matsushita-Tseng, UCSC Farm, Santa Cruz, CA

Young Farmer Climate Perspectives: Scott Chang-Fleeman, Shao Shan Farm, Bolinas, CA

Young Farmer Climate Perspectives: Bari Zeiger, Healing Poem Farm, Java, NY

Young Farmers and Climate Change: Katie Funk and Jeff Hake at Funks Grove, Illinois

Young Farmers and Climate Change: Reflections on Winter Storm Uri with Carolina Mueller

Reports & Related Content

Conservation Generation Report

In 2016, Young Farmers produced a report and a short film, both titled Conservation Generation, that paint a picture of young farmers in the arid West, their approach to water, and the challenges they face. The film has been screened at several film festivals across the country.

Western Water Resource Hub
An evolving list of Western water resources, including information on water law, administration, and land and finance resources.

Past Workshop Resources
Downloadable materials from past Western Water Training presenters.

 

 

Resilient

In 2014, the National Young Farmers Coalition released a short film, Resilient: Soil, Water and the New Stewards of the American West, highlighting the work of innovative farmers and ranchers across western Colorado who are adapting to a drier climate.

TOP BANNER PHOTO CREDIT: KACEY KROPP

Take Action

Join our campaign to advocate for climate action and water access for young farmers!

Water Fellowships

About the Program

2022 Colorado Water Fellowship
Applications closed October 10th.
Young farmers and ranchers are underrepresented in water policy decision-making bodies, and as a result, the next generation of producers are denied a critical opportunity to help shape the future of water in their region. The decisions about water resources today will impact the agricultural community for decades to come. By providing opportunities for young and BIPOC producers to take a more active role in water planning conversations, and by providing them with knowledge and resources to educate their local peers around water issues, the Fellowship will lead to more farmers and ranchers deeply engaging in the water supply planning process.

Water News