The Dry Farming Seed Directory empowers growers to identify and source high quality crop varieties that have been demonstrated to perform well under dry-farmed or minimally-irrigated conditions. We will continue to update this directory as new varieties are recommended and entered. Currently, the directory is focused on the maritime Pacific Northwest of North America.
For a crop variety to be entered into the Dry Farming Seed Directory, it should satisfy the following criteria:
- Performs well in dry-farmed or minimally irrigated conditions using organic practices, and evaluation details are openly available.
- Has other notable resilient traits, such as cold or heat tolerance, disease or pest resistance
- Valuable culinary characteristics, including flavor, nutrition, and storability
- Seeds are available, commercially or otherwise
A note on scope: This directory is rooted in trials and grower experience in the maritime Pacific Northwest, where we experience a wet-winter, mild-summer climate with roughly 40 inches of annual rainfall. If you’re growing in a similar climate, these varieties are a great place to start. If you’re growing somewhere hotter, drier, colder, or shorter-season, we encourage you to seek out seeds that have been stewarded in conditions closer to your own. Dry farming is place-based by nature, and that means that seeds should be too.
For variety selection, look for traits like:
- Drought tolerance or low water requirement
- Deep or extensive root systems
- Heat or cold tolerance suited to your region
- Early maturity
- Disease and pest resistance
Do you have a dry farming crop variety to recommend for the directory? Please fill out this form.
