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 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.
Texas Groundwater: The Importance of a Disappearing Water Source
What if we told you that groundwater — water deep beneath the Earth’s surface — is more present in your life than you might think? In fact, nearly 60 percent of Texas’ water comes from underground water sources.
6 Benefits of Domestically Grown Food
There’s a whole lot more to the food on your plate than providing your body nutrients and sustenance. In fact, our nation’s prosperity is rooted in a robust food supply chain that all starts with the hard work of American farmers and ranchers.
Watersheds are More Important than One Might Think
Whether you realize it or not, our lives are impacted each day by watersheds.
4 Ways Texas Conservation Makes Economic Sense
Did you know that the Texas agriculture industry provides more than just the food on your plate? The Texas agriculture industry is among the primary drivers of the economy, generating billions in economic activity and hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Bridging the Gap
As more of the population has become removed from involvement in agriculture, a gap in mutual understanding has grown between those who produce food and the consumers who eat it. To help bridge this gap, farmers, ranchers and others in the industry are using a variety of initiatives and methods
Daughters of the Land
Unlike in the past, a young girl’s future role in taking over the family farm in Texas is accepted and welcomed.
3 Ways Texas Family Farms Grow Our Economy
Farms don't just grow our food - they're important businesses that contribute to our economy, too! Farms generate economic activity that flows through local communities, and ultimately, Texas and the nation as a whole. Check out these three ways Texas family farms grow our economy all thanks to water.
Managing Cycling Drought Via Conservation + Optimism
In the semi-arid climate of the Texas High Plains, one of the most agriculturally-productive regions in the state, fourth-generation farmer Wesley Spurlock is acquainted all too well with drought. In fact, he said he started his farming career amidst a drought in 1980 after graduating college.
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.
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.
Innovation Magnifies Conservation Efforts
Farmers and ranchers are continually searching for the most up-to-date techniques and technologies to increase production efficiency on their land, while conserving natural resources. One federal agency is key in helping them to discover these innovations.
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.