Challenges Facing Crop Producers in Building Resilient Desert Agricultural Systems in the United States

Event Contact
Dr. LaKisha Odom
lodom@foundationfar.org

With careful irrigation, croplands in desert arid and semiarid climates have the potential to be highly productive regions for the United States’ food supply due to their year-round growing season and decreased pest threats.

However, current soil science has focused on the wetter climates and is not meeting the needs of desert crop producers. To meet its potential, the Desert Southwest requires a different definition of regenerative agriculture and unique solutions for managing soil health. There is an opportunity to advance soil management practices, strategies and metrics to increase the adaptability and profitability of crop producers in semiarid and arid regions.

This webinar will communicate the unique research needs of desert agricultural systems and communities and provide testimonies from growers about their needs and the most significant knowledge gaps they face.

• Dr. LaKisha Odom, Scientific Program Director, FFAR – Overview of FFAR’s Priority Areas
• Speaker TBD – Presentation on the impacts of breaks in supply chains and their effects on local and national communities
• Moderated panel of three-four growers (TBD) –Discussing experiences with food production in desert agricultural systems.
• Audience Q&A