US Global Water Strategy: In Summary

Read the US’s global water strategy for 2022-2027. The mission of the program is to insure a water-secure world through improvements to infrastructure in at-risk regions. The program funds improvements to “health, prosperity, stability, and resilience through sustainable and equitable water resources management and access to safe drinking water and sanitation services and hygiene practices.” For a summary of the program’s goals, click here. For detailed information on the program, visit their main website here.

Global Waters is a USAID-funded global water security, sanitation, and hygiene knowledge portal.

Video: Dale Strickler Presents: Building Drought Resilient Soils

Shared via the ATTRA network (subscribe to their newsletter right on their main website here), this video explains best practices for improving water capture for livestock as part of sustainable farming. Dale Strickler is the author of The Drough Resilient Farm. Watch the 90 minute presentation here.

ATTRA (Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas) is a knowledge source for sustainable agriculture, created by the US Department of Agriculture Rural Development and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT).

SARE Presents Leaders in Sustainable Agriculture

Watch SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education)’s collaboration with PBS and America’s Heartland as they interview and explore four farming operations’ work with sustainable agriculture. Topics covered include soil health through cover crops and grazing, diversification, and marketing. You can check out the video here.

Founded in 1988, SARE is a national grassroots organization emphasizing sustainable agriculture through grants, education, and outreach to farmers.

UN 2023 Water Conference: A Critical Analysis by WRI

The World Resources Institute published a critical review of the UN’s Water Conference results, looking specifically at the Water Action Agenda, the over 700 pledges by governments and organizations large and small to address freshwater preservation and climate change. Read their conclusions here on the potential impact of these promises and their call for further action to “tackle global water challenges.”

The World Resources Institute (WRI) is an international water and development research organization founded in the 1980s with funding by the MacArthur Foundation. It is funded by donation.

Google Earth for Your Vineyard

ATTRA just posted useful information on how to use Google Earth Pro for mapping your vineyard (or other agricultural operations, to be fair). They’re highlighting a video series by Steve Gabrial of the Wellspring Forest Farm. Use the information to help understand your overall land. Don’t miss the video on contour maps and soil survey data importing. Check out their tips here!

ATTRA (Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas) is a knowledge source for sustainable agriculture, created by the US Department of Agriculture Rural Development and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT).

Just released: Oregon DEQ's Groundwater Report

Oregon’s water governance is overseen by multiple agencies. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) publishes a bi-annual report on groundwater protection. The 2021-2022 report was just published. You can read the easy to navigate report here (hop to page 6 for the table of contents).

The report includes “the status of groundwater in Oregon, efforts made in the preceding two years to protect, conserve and restore Oregon’s groundwater” as well as an illuminating history of groundwater protection efforts by the DEQ dating back to the 1980s. It touches on threats to the system, such as wildfires and increases in nitrate contamination from farm run-off. Want to learn more from the DEQ? Visit their Reports to the Legislature site here.

Stay in the know with these excellent resources on dry farming

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.