Colorado Farmers Revive Rye for Water Savings

Sarah Jones and Heather Dutton launched the Rye Resurgence Project in Colorado’s San Luis Valley to encourage farmers to grow drought-resistant rye. Jones, a fifth-generation farmer, began experimenting with rye as a more sustainable alternative to water-intensive crops like alfalfa and barley. Rye requires only 10 to 12 inches of water per acre, a significant reduction compared to the 18 to 26 inches needed for other rotational crops.

The project quickly gained traction with neighbors eager to address the valley’s increasingly scarce water resources, an alpine desert receiving only about seven inches of rainfall annually. In 2023, farmers participating in the project grew roughly 3,000 to 5,000 acres of rye. They sold 771,409 pounds of rye at an average price of $0.62 per pound, surpassing initial goals.

Currently, a key challenge remains in securing enough buyers for the increased rye production. The team is exploring other low-water crops like quinoa and millet, but admits naming them will be difficult without a catchy phrase like "Rye Resurgence." The work continues to expand the project and find new partners.