Texas farmers are adopting regenerative agriculture and organic practices to conserve water and maintain healthy soil in the face of climate change. These practices prioritize soil health and water conservation, offering hope for a more sustainable and resilient agricultural industry.
Texas Farmers Embrace Regenerative Agriculture to Combat Climate Change
In the face of climate change and its devastating impact on Texas agriculture, farmers in the state are embracing regenerative agriculture and organic practices as a means of conserving water and maintaining healthy soil. With long droughts and scorching heat waves becoming more frequent, these farmers are hopeful that these practices will help mitigate the effects of a hotter and drier climate.
( Credit to: Texastribune )
Jeremy Brown, a fourth-generation farmer near Lamesa, found inspiration in his faith when he began contemplating the legacy he would leave for future generations. Recognizing himself as a steward of God’s creation, he embarked on a journey to improve the health of his soil. Brown first transitioned to growing organic cotton and later embraced regenerative agriculture, which prioritizes year-round soil health over short-term harvest yields.
The adoption of regenerative practices has been slow and challenging, particularly in the dry climate of West Texas. Brown acknowledges that some techniques he learned from farmers in wetter regions didn’t work for him initially. However, he remains committed to the six principles of soil health and has made adjustments to suit his environment. One significant change Brown made was allowing more space between crops, enabling the soil to retain moisture and reducing water usage. He also implemented crop rotation, minimized soil disturbance through tilling, and introduced livestock for grazing and natural fertilization.
Maximizing Water Efficiency and Soil Health Through Regenerative Practices
Eric Simpson, another farmer who has embraced regenerative agriculture, emphasizes the importance of preparing for rain even during drought conditions. Simpson’s farm, At’l Do Farms near Shallowater, primarily grows corn, sunflowers, and pumpkins. To protect his land and conserve moisture, he incorporates winter cover crops and leaves residue on the soil as natural mulch. The coverage shields the soil from direct sunlight, reducing evaporation and soil erosion caused by wind.
Water availability is a constant concern for High Plains farmers, and Simpson’s regenerative practices have helped maximize the efficiency of irrigation. By covering the soil, he minimizes water loss due to evaporation, making better use of the water he pumps out.
While regenerative agriculture practices can be challenging to implement, farmers like Simpson have noticed positive results. In previous droughts, his pumpkin patch suffered, but with regenerative practices, his pumpkins have fared better. Although droughts remain challenging, these farmers remain hopeful that their efforts will yield long-term benefits.
The Rise of Regenerative Agriculture in Texas
Katie Lewis, a soil scientist at Texas A&M AgriLife in Lubbock, has observed an increase in farmers turning to regenerative practices, particularly after cotton crops failed due to drought. Lewis believes that as farmers strive to improve the overall health of their soil, regenerative agriculture will become more common on the High Plains. She encourages farmers with access to irrigation water to start implementing these practices, as healthier soil can better capture and store moisture.
As Texas continues to face the impacts of climate change, the adoption of regenerative agriculture and organic practices by farmers offers hope for a more sustainable and resilient agricultural industry. By prioritizing soil health and water conservation, these farmers are taking proactive steps to adapt to a hotter and drier future.