Drought, wildfire, hail: is there a USDA Disaster Assistance Program to help your farm or ranch?
Every year, natural events, from drought and wildfires to hurricanes and hail, impact the businesses of farmers and ranchers across the country. Currently, the Four Corners region of the U.S. is experiencing exceptional drought (the worst category!) and most of the Southwest is experiencing some level of drought or dry conditions. In addition to […]
Farm disasters wait for no man … or wedding
By Tyler Hoyt | We cannot keep sweeping our water problems under the rug, hoping that the next wet season will save us. We need proactive measures that save water before it is wasted on all levels.
Balancing work with work: On day jobs and land hunts
By Stacia Cannon | Balancing an off-farm job with the often unpredictable needs of the orchard is a constant battle. It’s a life of long hours, frugality, and problem solving. But the grass is green and the fruit is sweet.
Finding land (with water) isn’t easy
By Tyler Hoyt | One of the biggest barriers that young farmers face is access to good quality land. In the West, good land for agriculture is usually tied to good water rights.
I can see my watershed, I can ski my watershed
By Tyler Hoyt | Living close to the mountains has advantages, like being able to physically see the source of our water and look after it.
Playing caveman hydro-engineer
By Harrison Topp | It’s still a surprise to a lot of people that we straight-up don’t get enough precipitation to grow most crops. We are reliant on the water that comes out of the mountains from melting snow.
Meet Nery: "I never thought I was going to be a farmer"
By Nery Martínez | Just because you’ve never worked with a shovel doesn’t mean you can’t become a farmer.
Meet Tyler: "We want to spend our lives devoted to a piece of land"
By Tyler Hoyt | We had been dreaming about owning a farm. We wanted long-term returns on our investments into the land, and ownership was the only way to partially guarantee this far-sighted approach.
Meet Harrison: "There was nothing to do but irrigate and start dating."
By Harrison Topp | Three years ago I made my first fruit sale from my family’s orchard in Colorado.
Our 2016 bloggers: Farming in the arid West
Introducing our 2016 series: Farming in the Arid West