America’s farms are losing their most precious asset. It’s not just water, it’s the ground itself.
A hidden crisis in Kansas and California is about to hit your grocery bill.
America’s farms are losing their most precious asset. It’s not just water, it’s the ground itself.
A hidden crisis in Kansas and California is about to hit your grocery bill.
The Ogallala Aquifer powers 30% of US irrigation.
Since 1950, water levels have dropped an average of 16.5 feet.
In parts of Kansas, we lost over 1 foot last year alone.
The Ogallala Aquifer powers 30% of US irrigation.Since 1950, water levels have dropped an average of 16.5 feet.In parts of Kansas, we lost over 1 foot last year alone.
Bill Dates
It’s not just about pumping. Climate Change is turning up the heat.
Hotter air sucks moisture out of the soil faster, forcing farmers to pump even more just to keep crops alive.
California's Central Valley is an agricultural miracle, producing a quarter of the nation's food on just 1% of its farmland.
But this miracle is running on borrowed time (and water).
California's Central Valley is an agricultural miracle, producing a quarter of the nation's food on just 1% of its farmland.
But this miracle is running on borrowed time (and water).
We have pumped so much water that the land itself has collapsed.
In the San Joaquin Valley, the ground has sunk up to 28 feet, crushing canals and bridges.
We have pumped so much water that the land itself has collapsed.In the San Joaquin Valley, the ground has sunk up to 28 feet, crushing canals and bridges.
Healthy soil recycles rain. But modern tillage has destroyed 50% of soil organic matter.
Result: The soil has turned into concrete. When it rains, the water runs off instead of sinking in.
The free ride is over. States like Kansas and California are now mandating conservation plans.
The Cut: Farmers are being forced to cut water use by 20-30%.
The free ride is over. States like Kansas and California are now mandating conservation plans.
The Cut: Farmers are being forced to cut water use by 20-30%.
How do we survive the cuts? We turn dirt back into a sponge.
For every 1% increase in Soil Organic Matter, an acre of land can hold 20,000 extra gallons of water.
How do we survive the cuts? We turn dirt back into a sponge.
For every 1% increase in Soil Organic Matter, an acre of land can hold 20,000 extra gallons of water.
By using Cover Crops (planting between seasons) and No-Till farming, we keep roots in the ground year-round.
These roots break up the soil, allowing rain to infiltrate deep underground.
By using Cover Crops (planting between seasons) and No-Till farming, we keep roots in the ground year-round.
These roots break up the soil, allowing rain to infiltrate deep underground.
This doesn't just save water. Healthy, organic soil traps Carbon Dioxide from the air.
Win-Win: We fight drought and climate change at the same time.
This doesn't just save water. Healthy, organic soil traps Carbon Dioxide from the air.
Win-Win: We fight drought and climate change at the same time.
If the aquifers fail, the "Salad Bowl" of America turns to dust.
Food prices will skyrocket. Saving the soil is about saving our dinner.
If the aquifers fail, the "Salad Bowl" of America turns to dust.
Food prices will skyrocket. Saving the soil is about saving our dinner.