Newsletter recommendation: Stay up to date with farm-focused sustainable agriculture with the National Center for Appropriate Technology’s resiliency and sustainability newsletter: ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture. The latest edition included USDA news, a calendar of farming summits, and an excellent organic agriculture podcast interview with Dr. Amber Sciligo of the Organic Center.
The past is present: Curious about historical dry farming practices and concerns? The 1909 book “Arid Agriculture” by B. C. Buffum is available digitally here.
How the neighbors do it: Read an in-depth report by the California Ag Water Stewardship Initiative on dry farmed Californian wines. Report includes key definitions, historical practices, and extensive links to research and winery profiles. Don’t miss the feature on Frog’s Leap! A must-read.
Nerd out with the neighbors: CAFF.org (Community Alliance with Family Farmers)’s 2015 report on dry farming wine grapes in California, funded by the California Department of Water Resources.
Looking for law in all the right places: Want to know what’s up with groundwater in Oregon? Read the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s 2021 biennial report "Groundwater Quality Protection in Oregon" here.
Check out California’s Department of Water Resources Sustainable Groundwater Management Act here.
Podcast of the month: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Latest episode discusses how environment rules are made. Think of it as your guide to positively influencing the process! Prefer your nerdy government info in written form? Check out their blog here.
Report of the month: “State Leadership Must Take Action to Protect Water Security for All Oregonians” advisory report by the Oregon Secretary of State [PDF]
This report is an audit of Oregon’s water governance. It discusses the challenges unique to the governing system and discusses the various governmental agencies in charge of different aspects of water management in Oregon. It advocates for a reorganization and re-prioritization of how water is managed in the state towards a more integrated, equitable, and collaborative approach.
