Utah farmers try to adapt to drought in a changing climate
Nov 20, 2021, 9:26 AM | Updated: Jun 8, 2022, 4:48 pm
Farmer Wade Eliason said he has 400 acres full of weeds instead of crops because of the severe drought. (Mark Wetzel, KSL TV)
(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.
