Empowering Growers To Thrive With Less Water

DFI in 2024: Deepening Our Roots

Hello Amy,


2024 was DFI's first full year with paid staff! We're excited to share more about a generative year of work. We grounded in our purpose and grew in connections. Read on to learn more about our 2024 successes.

As you make your year-end gifts, please consider supporting the Dry Farming Institute!

We’re excited to be building an organization focused on:

Our Vision: to empower growers to thrive with less water

Our Values transparency, communication, innovation, and collaboration.

Donate Today!

2024 Successes


Six On-Farm Water Resilience Demonstration Sites in WA and OR


Included demo plots @ a food bank, incubator farm, a tribal farm, and universities


STRATEGIES EXPLORED: Mulching, Crop Varieties, Biochar, Dry Farming, Deficit Irrigation, Intercropping, Site Selection, Cover Cropping, Reduced Tillage


DFI Provided: Soil assessment and report via 5’ core sample, seed & supply budget, soil moisture sensors & reader, 1:1 consulting, community of practice, co-organizing field days, and financial support


Stay tuned: In 2025 we'll have case studies to share what we learned and 6 more demo sites.

Field tours 2024!

Cultivating Resilience: Virtual Western Water Workshop Series for Ag Advisors

This November we launched a series of workshops designed to equip agricultural advisors in WA, OR, and CA with the tools and strategies needed to support small-scale and historically underserved growers.


125 attendees included producers and staff from conservation districts, nonprofits, extension, and government agencies. We hosted panels and featured speakers on technical topics, and training on meeting producers where they are and coaching them through decisions. Check out more information here and stay tuned for more in 2025!

What Attendees Are Saying:

so useful and encouraging on many levels, thank you!

Explore Our Updated Dry Farming Resource Page Here

SEED TO TABLE MARKET DEVELOPMENT


This year we expanded our marketing work in partnership with Culinary Breeding Network and Market of Choice

  • Variety Showcase on Sept 8th sold out and attracted 700+ people! Multiple exhibits featured crops that do well dry farmed. DFI featured chickpeas and storage tomatoes.
  • We developed beautiful marketing materials, including posters, to educate and promote dry farming adapted varieties!
  • More farmers are promoting and labeling their #dryfarmed produce.


Check out the Dry Farmed Produce Directory - a great home base for consumers to source dry farmed produce!

Fun fact from DFI's 2024 Variety Trials:

cucumber melons are not only delicious and prolific--

they stay sweet, even in the heat!

The Armenian cucumbers were particularly resilient and tasty!

Dry farm melons were a big hit again this year! The Crenshaw melons at our Outback Farm Field Day received a resounding 'WOW' from attendees."


THANK YOU to our donors and partners for being in community with us.

Help us make 2025 another great year -- support our work today!

DONATE HERE 

Thank you from our DFI Board and staff:

Ashley, Kristin, Lucas, Cathy, John, Amy, Eliza & Melissa

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