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
A Love of Farming
Before the sun rises, farmers up are prepping for the busy day ahead. All day long, they tend to their land, crops, equipment and much more, often long after the sun goes down. There is a lot of work that goes into growing our food – and a lot of
Healthy Soil = Clean, Abundant Water
Soil plays a critical role in supporting life on earth. Healthy soil serves as the base of an ecosystem full of living organisms that helps sustain plants, animals, and even us. Soil provides us a bountiful food supply, beautiful landscapes, and even the support on which we build homes. But
Texas Farmer Adapts During Challenging Times
The journey our food makes from field to fork can be complex. Since farmers represent the genesis of this process, it’s important to understand the practices they implement to address environmental and economic challenges in support of our food supply.
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.
Preparing for a Successful Crop: Planting Strategies
Going into pre-season, or the time before planting, one of the first decisions farmers must make is what crops to plant. Rodney Schronk and his wife Susan farm in Hill County, Texas, explain their decision to grow corn, cotton, wheat and sunflowers is complex.
5 Simple Ways to Save Water While Entertaining at Home
Why does saving water – even while entertaining – matter in the first place? Water availability continues to be an ongoing issue across the Lone Star State.
Texas NRCS Conservation Kidz Activity Sheet
On the hunt for conservation-focused education content? Look no further than the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Texas' Conservation Kidz activity sheet.
Conservation Up Close: Residue Management
Residue management is important on the Beauchamp’s family farm in the Texas Panhandle because healthy soil protects water. Discover what residue management is and why the Beauchamp’s care so much about it!
3 Ways to Sow Seeds of Knowledge for a Sustainable Future
Drinking water, food, clothing, manufacturing, swimming – there are so many ways water touches our daily lives. We’re fortunate to live in a country where clean water flows from the tap and is readily available. Perhaps though, this convenience results in unfamiliarity with where water comes from and how it
Conservation Up Close: Soil Health
When you think about conservation, what comes to mind? Saving water, recycling or picking up trash at your local park are likely first thoughts. But have you ever thought about conserving soil? It should come as no surprise that soil conservation is a top priority for farmers and something they
Conservation Up Close: Water Quality
If you have ever wondered what farmers do to protect water quality on their farms…look no further! Brandt Underwood has witnessed the dedication of producers in stewarding natural resources during his last 20 years of working as an agronomist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Sustainable Crops
Corn farmers work hard to be good stewards of the land and environment. New technologies and farming practices allow farmers to grow more corn on less farmland, all while conserving the natural resources vital to the environment.
Entrepreneurs in Their Field
Instead of following many millennials to urban centers, brothers Braden, Brittan and Cameron Gruhlkey each decided to return to the family farm. The Gruhlkey brothers now farm alongside their father, Bill, while also expanding the family business and making their own mark.
Healthy Soil: Benefits On and Off the Field
From water quality to erosion to nutrient management, Central Texas farmer Rodney Schronk knows healthy soil has a number of benefits.
Healthy Soil, Clean Water
Central Texas farmer Rodney Schronk knows healthy soil has a number of benefits - including helping the water supply be cleaner.
Ogallala Aquifer Initiative Widely Used by Farmers to Improve Water Application
No one has a greater stake in conserving water than those who depend on it for their livelihood, and Texas farmers and ranchers on the Panhandle and South Plains regions are no exception.
Texas Water District, USDA Partner to Show Farmers Way to Use Water Wisely
In the High Plains of Texas, water reigns. The area is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world, making a reliable water supply key to the area’s rural economies.
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.