Our Blog
Texas farmers and ranchers are actively conserving and preserving water on their operations each day. Through their stories, challenges and innovations, you’ll get a firsthand look at the efforts happening on real Texas farms and ranches across the state. Because for farmers, protecting water isn’t just a responsibility. It’s essential for protecting the future of all Texans.
Featured Blog
Efficient Water Conservation Methods: 1 Size Doesn’t Fit All
Texas farmers face unique water conservation challenges due to the state’s diverse climates, soils and crops—requiring region-specific solutions like efficient irrigation systems in dry areas and erosion control in wetter regions. Despite the differences, all farmers share the same goal: using water conservation methods wisely to sustain their land, their
Future Directions: Irrigation Study
Water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource that must be shared by agriculture, other businesses and industries, and with city residents.
Texas Farmers’ Conservation Efforts Benefit Everyone
Whether you are at a meeting or talking with neighbors and friends, the lack of rainfall and underground water reserves is a concern for those who depend on it for growing and producing America’s food and fiber.
RCPP
Producers in the Panhandle-South Plains region are reminded that cost-share funding is still available for installation of irrigation system monitoring equipment, soil moisture probes, and other irrigation management equipment through the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service's Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).
Farmers “Keep the Stubble” during No-Till November
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and its partners encourage farmers to “keep the stubble” on their harvested cropland fields and improve soil health during a special month long “No-Till November” campaign.
Going Against the Grain – to Grow Grain Media Tour
A recent media tour featured participants from CommonGround, a group of women farmers who have conversations about the food they grow and how they produce it.
Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts
The Water Grows Initiative encourages those wanting to offer support to the farmers and ranchers impacted by the storm to contribute to the Texas Farm Bureau’s Harvey Relief Fund.
5 Reasons Why We Love Water…and You Should, Too
How could something you use every single day be special? Well, what if we told you that water, though often overlooked, is far from ordinary—it’s truly remarkable. From its fundamental role in our daily lives to its extraordinary properties, water deserves our admiration.
3 Reasons to Appreciate Texas Farmers and Ranchers
There are bountiful reasons to be thankful for our state’s hardworking farmers and ranchers, and Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is well acquainted with many of them. In addition to his duties as commissioner, Miller is an eighth-generation farmer and rancher himself. Check out these three ways Commissioner Miller said
Investing in Future Generations
Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders – this is certainly true in many areas of life, but it is particularly crucial when it comes to conservation and agriculture. Natural resources are vital to our everyday lives for many reasons. Perhaps one of the most important is in the production of our
An Insider Look at Corn Harvest
Harvest occurs at different times of the year depending on geographic location, type of crop and variety that is planted. In the case of corn in Texas, harvest can begin as early as July in South Texas and into late November as you move north through the state.
An Insider Look: Field to Fork
Field to Fork, an event hosted by Water Grows, is helping make the connection by giving food influencers and elected officials an inside look into how our food is grown and how farmers conserve our natural resources.
8 Ways to Conserve Water at Home
No matter where we live – the city, suburbs, or a house in the country – we all depend on water for life. From the water we drink and the food we eat to our livelihoods and recreation, water impacts nearly every area of our lives.
The Meaning Behind Water Grows
Because the agriculture industry is the largest user of water, it bears the greatest responsibility for conserving water and using it efficiently, and farmers are doing just that.
Going Against the Grain – to Grow Grain Media Tour
A recent media tour featured participants from CommonGround, a group of women farmers who have conversations about the food they grow and how they produce it.
Water Grows Our Economy
Across the Panhandle and South Plains of Texas, the vast Ogallala Aquifer underlies 36,000 square miles of Texas.
The Changing Family Farm
Sustainably producing quality food is top of mind for these farmers seeking to care for the land they work with every day, and to ensure their family farm is viable for future generations. The brothers know conserving their resources is not only good business, it's what's right.
High Plains Crop Production Supports 103,000 Jobs
The water used to irrigate crops in the High Plains produces economic activity that benefits everyone who lives and works in the region.
Growing More Food With Less Water
High Plains corn farmers who irrigate their crops from the Ogallala Aquifer used a combination of new technology and methods to grow more corn with less water, according to a report from researchers with Texas A&M AgriLife Research.
Efficient Water Conservation Methods: 1 Size Doesn’t Fit All
Texas farmers face unique water conservation challenges due to the state’s diverse climates, soils and crops—requiring region-specific solutions like efficient irrigation systems in dry areas and erosion control in wetter regions. Despite the differences, all farmers share the same goal: using water conservation methods wisely to sustain their land, their
Water Conservation & Corn Planting in Texas
Long before Texans can enjoy a delicious meal or fill up their gas tank with fuel, farm families like the Gruhlkeys in the Panhandle are busy planning and preparing for planting season.
EQIP Impacts Communities
The drought of 2011 had devastating impacts on Quentin Shieldknight's farm and ranch - and even his community - in the Texas Panhandle.
Irrigation: How Texas Farmers Make Every Drop Count
If you live in Texas, then you are likely well acquainted with the state’s often harsh climate. The hot, dry conditions combined with unpredictable rainfall and drought often leads to declining surface and groundwater stores across the state. While we all feel the effects of a declining water supply, no
Texas Corn Planting with Water Conservation in Mind
There is something special about new beginnings – and Texas farmer Braden Gruhlkey appreciates the experience new beginnings bring each year as he lowers his planter to the ground.
Williams Family: Protecting Natural Resources On and Off the Farm
Conservation is top-of-mind for many Texas farmers, and that is especially true for the Williams family. The conservation practices they implement help reduce erosion and help protect natural resources on and off the farm.
Water Conservation Up Close: Upgraded Irrigation Through NRCS EQIP
Meet the Beauchamps! They farm in the Texas High Plains where they’ve made water conservation a top priority.
Using Modern Farm Technology to Grow Food & Save Water
Technology is woven into the stories of our lives. Chances are you’re using technology right now to read this blog or to improve efficiency in your daily life like to control lights, doorbells, cameras and your thermostat. Technology plays a big role on farms across Texas, too.
Conservation + Irrigated Agriculture
Since 1980, farmers have decreased water usage by 56% with every irrigated bushel grown. Discover why farming in a resource-conscious way is important for Texas farmer Russell Williams.
Farmers Lead the Charge for a Sustainable Future at Soil Health Symposium
A group of forward-thinking farmers recently came together at the Soil Health Symposium to discuss this challenge and spark a change in the future of agricultural production.
NRCS is Driving Energy Savings to Farmers with VFDs
A new technology is reaching up to 15 percent saving on energy usage – variable frequency drives (VFDs).
Innovative Irrigation Conserves Water, Boosts Yields in Ogallala Aquifer Region
In the Ogallala Aquifer region, each drop of water counts. A group of forward-thinking farmers in Texas are finding innovative ways to irrigate their crops to use water more efficiently.