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   2025 started with very little precipitation and cold weather. As spring arrived, my worries began to increase, as it seemed the spring/summer rains were not going to materialize, and we would be back into a drought cycle.

   As I write this, a gentle rain is falling, and I am at peace because the plants and soil system are receiving moisture. Water is critical to everything that lives on this planet, so it would only be fitting to capture what you can and store it in the soil system. Nature already accomplishes this with an incredible creature called the

BEAVER! They build dams that hold back water and create homes for many other animals and themselves. In doing so, they slow the water’s flow, spread it out, and allow it to soak in. This idea is mentioned in Mark Shepard’s book, “Water for Any Farm,” which explains how to design your land to hold water so it can slow down, spread out, and soak in. This concept will become more important as the climate changes. From worsening floods to droughts and dust bowls, water will influence our future in many ways.

   Minnesota data shows our state is warming and receiving more precipitation, for now. If we are going to see an increase in water, it makes sense to store it on and in the landscape. How can we do this? Design our landscapes for water capture that slows it down, spreads it out, and soaks it in. Berms and swales on the contour will guide water across the hillside, slowing it down and allowing it to infiltrate. Any excess water is directed to retention ponds connected to additional swales. Preserving marshes, bogs, and wet fens helps with water capture and habitat. Cover crops in agriculture provide the soil with a living root system that stabilizes the soil and reduces runoff, aiding infiltration. These concepts also apply to landscape design: move water away from structures and adopt the proven approach of slowing, spreading, and soaking it in. Plant selection also helps, as deep-rooted plants create channels for water to follow deep into the soil. Increasing water infiltration through plant diversity is also essential for maximizing water absorption.

We are living in changing times, and preparing for what is coming will provide a space for future generations of all life to thrive. For more information, please contact Jim Etzel at 218-252-3258 or www.earthisourhome.net

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