Our mission is to empower growers to thrive with less water. We support growers’ exploration of dry farming and other water resilient agricultural practices through collaborative projects, outreach and education.
Pathways to Water Resilient Farming: Collaborative Projects in 2024 and 2025
In 2024 and 2025, we are focused on providing tailored technical service support and seed to table dry farming market development.
Western Water Resilience Collaborative
DFI is advancing water resilience strategies for producers on small farms in Washington, Oregon, and California through a collaborative project. DFI is supporting tailored technical service to demonstration farms and peer learning for farmers and ag advisors.
Improving Access to Dry Farming Resources
- Dry Farming Suitability Map: helps growers assess and understand site suitability for dry farming in Oregon.
- Dry Farming Seed Directory: enables growers to identify and source high quality crop varieties that perform well under dry farmed or minimally-irrigated conditions.
Seed to Table: Collaborative Market Development for Dry Farmed Projects
Critical infrastructure is needed to make dry farming a viable market opportunity for growers. From identifying the most promising crops and cultivars, to educating consumers and retailers about the benefits of dry farmed production for stewardship and flavor, DFI is working with partners to support dry farmed products from seed to table through collaborative projects.
- Resilient Seed Stewardship Program: in collaboration with OSU’s Dry Farming Program, we are working to increase accessibility of seed for crops that thrive when dry-farmed.
- Buy Dry: connecting producers with consumers