Utah farmers try to adapt to drought in a changing climate
Nov 20, 2021, 9:26 AM | Updated: Jun 8, 2022, 4:48 pm
(Mark Wetzel, KSL TV)
BEAVER COUNTY, Utah (AP) — Climate change is making droughts more frequent and intense.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found the southwestern U.S. had the worst drought on record this summer.
KUER-FM reports that has limited Utah farmers’ ability to grow crops.
In the past two years, a growing number of farmers have signed up for a state program that helps fund projects to increase their water use efficiency.
The Water Optimization Program got $3 million in state funding in 2020 and another $3 million in 2021.
The program recently got 81 applications totaling $10.6 million.
The program’s director Jay Olsen says that shows the increased need and interest.