Future Roots Locally Grown Guide - Catalog - Page 88
WATER-WISE FARMING
W
ater availability has always been a challenge for farmers in the Wood River Valley.
Now, climate change, population growth, and increased residential and commercial
use are putting serious pressure on producers. Local farmers are stepping up with
innovative and practical ways to use water more efficiently. We spoke with Justin Stevenson from Hillside Ranch, Brooke Bonner from Drinkers of the Wind Farm, and Kathy Noble to
learn about the changes they’re making to conserve water and regenerate the aquifer.
ADAPTING TO A NEW WATER REALITY
“The future of water is the biggest uncertainty for farming in the Valley,” says Justin
Stevenson, owner of Hillside Ranch in the Bellevue Triangle. His family has been growing grain
here since the 1970s, and over the years, they’ve had to adjust to shifting water availability.
Today, Hillside Ranch grows barley, alfalfa, and wheat varieties, some of which his sister, Brett
Stevenson, uses in Hillside Grain’s locally milled flours.
Hillside Ranch, like the majority of agricultural producers in the Wood River Valley, relies on
surface and groundwater supplies fed by mountain snowpack. Declining and variable snowpack
has reduced available water, resulting in new regulations for farmers. “It was a mindset shift
for farmers. We have to be ready to adapt each year based on water availability,” Justin explains. Hillside Ranch has been on the cutting-edge of water-use innovation for years, working
to implement a variety of water reduction and soil management strategies that prepare them
for the uncertain water availability.
WATER-SAVING STRATEGIES
“We’ve upgraded our sprinklers to more efficient systems, lowered their height to cut
down on evaporation, and added variable rate pivots—these adjust watering speed based on
soil conditions,” Justin says.
One of the biggest game-changers has been installing soil moisture sensors throughout
the fields. These sensors send real-time data to Justin’s phone, letting him know exactly when
and where water is needed.
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