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Resources

What is Dry Farming?

Dry farming is a low-input, place-based approach to producing crops within the constraints of your climate. As we define it, a dry-farmed crop is irrigated once or not at all.

What are the benefits?

  • Flavor. Dry-farmed crops have enhanced flavor. 
  • Storability. Dry-farmed crops store longer. 
  • Weed control. No irrigation means fewer weeds to manage.
  • Conservation. Water. Energy. Time.
  • Land use. Farm otherwise productive land that lacks water rights.
  • Resilience. Adapt to a drier climate.

How Does Dry Farming Work?

  • Dry farming utilizes water stored throughout the soil profile.
  • Deep soils with good water-holding capacity are ideal.
  • Early soil prep and planting essential.
  • Drought-tolerant or early maturing cultivars best.
  • Lower planting density.
  • Improve soil health and water-holding capacity with cover cropping, rotating crops, and minimizing soil disturbance.

Yields are less, so the price of dry-farmed produce tends to be higher, but worth it for the superior flavor and the sustainability benefits.

Additional resources:

Oregon State University Dry Farming Project Resources, including books and other publications.

Dry Farming Collaborative on Facebook

A Reference Guide to Sustainable Land Use in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands

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