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CASCADE Project
Enhancing Water Security & Agricultural Productivity in Semi Arid Regions
The Challenge
Climate change is reshaping agriculture in the American West. In Colorado, rising temperatures, erratic precipitation, and more frequent droughts are undermining the health of livestock systems—Colorado’s largest agricultural export. Traditional grazing practices often intensify soil degradation and water loss, making the need for climate-smart solutions more urgent than ever.
Our Approach: Regenerative Systems Rooted in Water
The CASCADE Project—led by Drylands Agroecology Research (DAR) in partnership with Colorado State University—is a three-year initiative piloting regenerative grazing systems that restore soil health, enhance water retention, and build long-term resilience.
At the heart of CASCADE are USDA-approved Rainwater Harvesting Terraces (RWHT)—earthworks that slow, spread, and sink water back into the soil. These terraces are integrated into silvopastoral systems, combining trees, livestock, and forage to regenerate soil, increase biodiversity, and reduce erosion in multifunctional farm landscapes.
Real-Time Soil Hydrology
IoT soil moisture sensors at multiple depths track changes in soil moisture over time
Data offers real-time insights into water retention, infiltration, and drought resilience.
Comparative Livestock Research
Sheep vs. cattle trials evaluate impacts on:
Forage production & quality
Soil carbon sequestration
Climate resilience under RWHT
Understanding Soil & Geology
Field assessments of soil texture, structure, and parent material
Explore how different geologies affect water movement and long-term productivity in regenerative systems
Our research spans four active demonstration farms:
Elk Run Farm | Boulder County
Yellow Barn Farm | Boulder County
Metacarbon Farm | Boulder County
Cedar Springs Farm | Delta County (Western Slope)
These sites reflect a range of Colorado’s ecological conditions, making the results broadly relevant and transferable.
Building a Movement for Broader Impact.
Although current implementation is limited to these research sites, CASCADE is laying the groundwork for future regional expansion, particularly in rural and under-resourced areas.
Our outreach strategy includes:
-Video-based learning tools for producers
-Hands-on regional events with land stewards and researchers
-Collaborations with underserved producers, including:
-First Nations farmers
-Mexican-American ranchers
-Small-scale rural producers
-Collaboration with First Nation community leaders to align regenerative systems with First nation ecological knowledge, food sovereignty, and cultural stewardship
By merging global best practices with local knowledge, CASCADE is creating scalable, scientifically rigorous, and socially just solutions for Colorado’s changing climate.
The CASCADE Project builds on proven RWHT strategies used to combat desertification in Africa’s Sahel, where similar techniques have boosted agricultural productivity and preserved ecosystem services.
Your support can help us expand this work into a model for drylands across the American West and beyond. Let’s transform agriculture—To Regenerate Landscapes For Life On Earth
Summary
Research Methods
