LOR’s Field Work initiative provides funding for research into innovative approaches to using water in agriculture.
As the Mountain West faces the worst drought in the past 1,200 years, demand for agricultural food products is expected to increase by as much as 98 percent by 2050, putting Western farmers and ranchers on the frontlines of the fight to solve water challenges. Too often, however, funding for innovative techniques that might improve water usage is hard to access and slow to reach the experts on the ground. That’s why LOR launched Field Work. Through Field Work, farmers and ranchers in rural parts of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming were eligible for up to $10,000 to implement innovative water projects on their land (think: improved water efficiency, water reliability, water quality, crop yield or crop diversification, and labor efficiency). Our goal has been to get money quickly into the hands of the people in the field and on the ranch who have the potential solutions—and just need a little help to implement them. Ultimately we hope this initiative reveals the best solutions for using water efficiently to grow food in the West—and sustain thriving communities—while in the grip of unprecedented drought.
Applications Are Closed
LOR is no longer accepting proposals for Field Work. Applicants will be notified about their proposals by March 15. Selected projects will be completed in 2023, with learnings reported by Dec. 31, 2023.
Stay Connected
If you’d like to receive updates regarding Field Work projects and learnings, please provide your contact information below. If you would also like to receive information about other funding opportunities and resources via LOR’s monthly email, please note that in your message. Thank you.