I wouldn’t say I like doing things the hard way, but somehow, most of my previous farming experience involved “dry farming.” Dry farming relies largely on rainfall & water harvesting techniques to water crops, rather than using plumbed water- from a garden hose or irrigation system, for example.

I’ve primarily been on urban farms or on farms in under-resourced countries (Cuba & Thailand, for example) where municipal water just wasn’t an option. Witnessing people committed to growing food under any condition demonstrated for me that anything is possible- even if not easy. So when I was presented an opportunity to use family land to operate the farm I’ve been dreaming of, it didn’t matter at all that there was no water or electricity on the lot. I do have access to municipal water on a neighboring lot, but this requires hand carrying water a greater distance than is feasible to consider a viable solution. Besides, the reasons to water crops with rainwater are numerous: doesn’t contain treatment chemicals/salts found in tap water; has ideal pH; contains liquid nitrogen & other essential components that aid plant growth; it’s eco-friendly & sustainable and it’s FREE.

Since gaining access to the land, I’ve been using buckets to catch rainwater from the shed roof. Ultimately, I wished to have water barrels. Now, I have 2 barrels- one catching rainwater from the shed roof & another (which I’m especially excited for) in the field. Having a water station in the field means less labor for me to get water to the crops.

I imagine that rain- & the ability to harvest it- seems like a minor thing when you live in most parts of the United States. You turn on the faucet & water simply pours out without an apparent end.

Thankfully I have traveled & lived in conditions with limited/no water supply, including one week without municipal water in the largest city in North America- Mexico City- which opened my eyes to that country’s water crisis & the impending global water crisis (just ask folks living on the west coast of the United States!).

Water falling from the sky is a miracle & I give thanks each time it rains. Choosing to collect rainwater to irrigate our crops is one of the many ways Mahaba Farms is taking the less traditional (compared to typical, present day farming techniques) & arguably more difficult route, but it’s good for our plants & good for our Planet. That feels better than any fancy irrigation system money could buy.