BY THE END OF THIS ARTICLE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO…
- Identify at least one collaboration relevant to your water resilience context.
- • Describe one element of that collaboration you would adapt for your group.
RESOURCES
Advancing Water Resilience in the West Collaboration (link coming soon) – – Explore a regional collaboration focused on building more connections and support for farmers and service providers to develop water resilience projects in their context. Think about how it might help you think about what kinds of resources you want to create within your community of practice.
History of the Dry Farming Collaborative – – The founding collaboration behind DFI’s network of scientists, farmers, extension educators, and community members working on dry farming and water resilience.
Pacific Coastal Dry Farming Collaborative – – 18 min presentation on a farmer-focused research network launched in 2024, focusing on cultivating crops without irrigation in coastal British Columbia.
Want to share your collaborative’s story? Reach out to info@dryfarming.org
BEFORE YOUR NEXT SESSION
Work through these questions before meeting with growers or convening your group. They will help you clarify your scope, understand your landscape, and enter the conversation with intention:
- Identify who is already working on water resilience. In your region, who is already active in this space? This may include growers, service providers, researchers, or community partners. Name at least three people or organizations you want to connect with before your next round of outreach.
- Define the geography for your community of practice. What geographic area makes the most sense for your COP? Consider both where demand exists and where you already have trusted relationships.
- Select the collaborative model that fits your context. Of the three collaborative examples described above, which aligns most closely with your situation? What elements of their approach would you adapt for your group?
Carry forward: Your community boundaries and initial contact list carry into Section 2, where you’ll choose your first method of convening.