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Building Water Resilience in the Northwest Through Soil Management

Changes in the timing and availability of water resources pose significant challenges to irrigated and dryland agriculture across the Northwest. Warmer winters are shrinking mountain snowpack and melting snow is entering streams and rivers before water is needed for irrigating crops. Variability in the timing and amount of rain is challenging traditionally held farming practices and increasing flooding in some areas. Drier, warmer summers with more extremely hot days can damage crops and reduce resilience to pests and disease. Anticipating and adapting to change can help reduce negative impacts. The information provided below highlights soil health as an important approach to reducing the effects of changing climate conditions and water access. You will also find links to USDA programs that provide technical and financial resources that foster climate change resilience through soil stewardship and other natural resource conservation practices. This resource page is intended to help land managers, technology transfer specialists, farmers, and other agriculturalists access information and related financial and technical assistance for implementation.      

Access the resource page here

Manage your soils to conserve water and promote productivity