Leading into the Rye Resurgence Project’s first full year, the Project contracted with 10 San Luis Valley farmers who planted 4,500 acres of winter rye following the 2023 fall potato harvest. Project farm partners use minimal water to establish the cover crop to dramatically reduce reliance on groundwater and preserve the Rio Grande. Increased rye production will support a sustainable agricultural future in the San Luis Valley, but only if others in the supply chain help build demand and value to take the economic risk and burden off local farmers.