KindHarvest summary: As drought reduces irrigation supplies across the western United States, some farmers are testing combinations of soil-cover and biological practices to retain water and keep crops productive. Colorado farmer Todd Olander described a rapid transition at Root Shoot Malting as his expected water allocation fell to roughly one-quarter of its usual level.
Keeping soil covered
Olander stopped tilling so residue from the previous crop remains on the surface, shielding the soil from direct sun and slowing moisture loss. He also plants off-season cover crops such as radish and peas, with the legumes contributing biologically fixed nitrogen.
Testing biological support
The farm was also trialling a commercial soil probiotic tied to a carbon-credit programme. The product supplier argued that microbial activity could support crop performance and carbon storage, but the report did not establish an independent field comparison. Product claims therefore need to be tested against untreated strips and measured over time.
Adaptation requires combinations
Economist Jonathan McFadden cautioned that there is no single solution to drought. Residue, living roots, irrigation management and locally suitable crops can work together, but farmers need to compare combinations under their own soils, water allocations and business constraints.
Related KindHarvest reading
See Can Soil Organic Carbon Reduce Drought and Flooding? for research on soil carbon and plant-available water.
Source and credit
This KindHarvest Team research brief is based on reporting by Elizabeth Ruiz for Scripps News and Fox 17, published in May 2022. Read the full Fox 17 article.