Sometimes you gotta break the rules

So, why did I break several of the 5 principles of soil health first thing I did on the land? In the arid southwest, our first consideration is water. Drought is the new normal. Without water, we won’t grow anything. So, once again, we look to nature and ask how to manage limited water to the greatest benefit of the land. We ask the beaver how to slow spread and sink precipitation or irrigation because he is the expert. And, he responds, swales (channels) and berms (dams). I hired the experts who are third generation from the expert’s expert on capturing the water, Mark Shepard. The information passed through him to my friend Jake Takiff (who travels the country installing water catchment systems with Mark and installing larger systems locally). From Jake, the know-how passed to Trace Axtell and Daniel Kelso who were the perfect dynamic duo to install a catchment system on the upper acre of my property. We are extremely fortunate to have these guys in our midst here on the Western Slope of Colorado!

I’ve been to Jake’s place plenty and am always blown away and inspired when I go! He runs cattle, pigs, turkeys and geese on his land, rotating the cattle to keep them from overgrazing. His Cedar Springs Farm started as a barren dry patch covered in knapweed and sagebrush. It had a dry stream bed and no irrigation. It did receive tailwater which filled the streambed intermittently but never supported much life. After healing the land with the swales, berms and rotationally grazed cattle, springs have popped up and the dry streambed is now a perennial stream that supports wildlife, a diverse habitat and his livestock. It has become a thriving ecosystem. What he’s accomplished since 2016 is nothing short of miraculous! 

So, the first thing I did when I bought my property was hire Trace and Daniel to come have a look and give me their advice. They brought a mini-ex which tore up a limited portion of the field and destroyed a large quantity of the plant-life that existed there through running the tires upon it and compacting the soil. It was one and done but the outcome will be felt long after the damage has been repaired. Thank goodness our Mother is resilient! 

Now, my land is capturing water like a sponge and will be able to support verdant life. It is also contributing to a healthy hydrological system which will, to some extent, address climate change in the area. I am so grateful for the knowledge and expertise these men have taken the time to share and encourage everyone who has slope on their property to utilize a system of water management that will add so much benefit for many many years to come!