Come learn about dry farming, see crops (tomatoes, squash, melon, potatoes) grown without any supplemental irrigation in the field, observe roots from soil pits in irrigated and dry farmed plots, do side-by-side tastings of dry farmed and irrigated tomatoes and melons, and more!
Farmers in the Western United States are becoming increasingly affected by climate change through reduced snowmelt, increased temperatures, and drought (Climate Risks in the Northwest). Up to a 50% reduction in summer water availability is predicted in Oregon within 50 years (Nolan and Daley, 2006;Oregon Climate Change Research Institute interactive graphic). It will be critical for the viability of farms in our region and the security of our food system to increase our knowledge and awareness of how Oregon growers are being affected by drought and expand our toolbox of drought mitigation tools and strategies. Many Oregon farmers using surface water for irrigation were cut off early during the 2015 growing season. In addition, water, drought, and climate change are the top agricultural concerns of young farmers in the West and many young farmers have trouble finding land with unrestricted irrigation rights (Conservation Generation, 2016).
This workshop series, funded by an Oregon SARE Mini-Grant, will increase knowledge and awareness of drought mitigation tools and management practices for farming with little or no irrigation.
Please RSVP: http://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/dry-farm-field-days-rsvp