The Narwhal - ‘Treat the land right’: B.C. farmers search for solutions as another year of drought looms
“When we have the right soil, or the right conditions in our soil, if we get rain it actually will infiltrate. The rain needs to go in. It doesn’t really matter how much rain we get — it’s how much can infiltrate?”
With water levels dangerously low across the province, another year of drought is likely. B.C. is funding a number of initiatives to help prepare and support farmers.
With groundwater and stream flow levels dangerously low in watersheds across B.C. and beyond, farmers and ranchers are bracing for another potentially disastrous season. According to provincial data, snowpack is the lowest it’s been in 50 years. That means aquifers, streams, rivers and other freshwater systems are unlikely to recharge as things heat up this spring. In the face of another year of extreme drought in Western Canada, B.C. farmers are grappling with the looming threat to local and regional food security. Regenerative agriculture emerges as a beacon of hope in the struggle against increasingly dry conditions.
Eugen Wittwer, a Swiss-born farmer in Telkwa, B.C., embodies the resilience needed in such times. His decades-long experimentation with regenerative agricultural practices has equipped him to weather severe droughts. By forgoing mechanical tillage and chemical fertilizers, Wittwer has nurtured soil health and biodiversity on his family's acreage, enabling his cattle to thrive even in the face of parched pastures.
The provincial government, recognizing the severity of the situation, has set aside $100 million for water-storage and irrigation projects to support farmers in coping with the impending crisis. Yet, the transition to regenerative agriculture is not without its challenges. Convincing farmers to abandon conventional practices, often tied to crop insurance requirements, proves to be a hurdle. However, the benefits of reduced tillage, cover cropping, and increased biodiversity cannot be undervalued in strengthening resilience against unexpected climate patterns.
Farmers like Yoenne Ewald are embracing regenerative methods to mitigate the impacts of drought. Attendees of workshops and regional tables convened by the government are exchanging invaluable local knowledge to navigate water restrictions and increase efficiency in water use.
The impact of climate change extends beyond the fields, affecting the mental and emotional well-being of farmers like Ariella Falkowski. Yet, public support through advocacy and lifestyle changes can complement government efforts in tackling the climate crisis and supporting food producers.
Ultimately, the key to resilience lies in collaborative efforts between farmers, communities, and government agencies. By fostering a culture of adaptation and sustainability, B.C. can navigate the challenges of drought and strengthen its agricultural practices.
Click here to read the article at the The Narwhal
“With groundwater and stream flow levels dangerously low in watersheds across B.C. and beyond, farmers and ranchers are bracing for another potentially disastrous season. According to provincial data, snowpack is the lowest it’s been in 50 years. That means aquifers, streams, rivers and other freshwater systems are unlikely to recharge as things heat up this spring.”