Red and green apple slices after the freeze-drying process

  • Rachael Ryan/Backyard Farms

    • Case Study

    Freeze Drying Crops for Increased Climate Change Resilience in New Mexico

    As a result of climate change , average temperatures in New Mexico may increase by up to 7°F over the next 50 years, decreasing water availability and subjecting crops to heat and drought stress. In response, Backyard Farms, a farm with multiple sites throughout southern New Mexico, freeze dries the crops of farmers throughout the state to decrease the food lost to extreme weather.

    Location New Mexico
    Year
    2024

    Details

    Hazards
    Changing Seasons
    Drought
    Flooding – General
    Multiple or All Hazards
    Assets
    Agriculture and Food Supply
    Economy
    Multiple or All Assets
    People
    Sources
    USFWS—U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
    Read the Full Case Study

    Funding & Building Capacity

    This project was funded by USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant and Cruces Creatives.

    Organizations

    USFWS—U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

    Relevant Options

    Maximize the use and availability of inexpensive hydroelectricity for indoor and other controlled environment food production. To help farmers manage seasonal changes, provide resources to homeowners about how and why to plant pollinator gardens. Encourage farmers to update farm technologies to account for seasonal changes and reduce fertilizer and water use. For example, farmers can increase the efficiency of irrigation; make use of weather and

    Steps to Resilience

    Get Started
    Understand Exposure
    Assess Vulnerability & Risk
    Investigate Options
    Prioritize & Plan
    Take Action
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