This is the first part of the three-part series Water-Smart Regeneration: Bridging Soil Health and Irrigation Efficiency by Adrian Vargas, RRG NBS Water and Irrigation Expert. The series explores the connections between soil health, efficient water use, and regenerative farming practices that enhance both productivity and ecosystem resilience. 

Water is a living element that moves through soil, roots, and climate. In regenerative agriculture (RA), managing water is about irrigation schedules or balance sheets. But it’s also about restoring the natural relationships that allow land to hold, filter, and share water over time. 

We, the Technical Team at RRG NBS, see water as the connecting thread between healthy soils, thriving ecosystems, and resilient communities. In a changing climate, where rainfall patterns are becoming less predictable and droughts more frequent, building natural water buffers through soil regeneration is one of the most practical forms of adaptation. 

Why Water Management Begins with Soil 

Every drop of rain or irrigation interacts with the soil first. When soil is compacted or low in organic matter, most of that water runs off or evaporates before plants can use it. But when soil structure improves, through plant roots, organic matter, and microbial life, the land becomes a sponge, holding water longer and making it available when crops need it most. 

That’s the foundation of regenerative agriculture: improving the soil’s biological and physical structure so it can naturally capture and conserve water. Over time, this reduces dependence on irrigation, buffers against climate extremes, and stabilizes yields; even in dry or highly variable seasons. 

Let’s look at two simple but powerful ways to get there: cover crops and shade management. 

Cover Crops: Building a Living Sponge 

Cover crops are one of the most accessible and effective tools for improving the soil–water relationship. Acting like a living mulch, they shield bare soil from sun and wind: the two biggest drivers of evaporation. But their most important work happens underground. 

Through their roots, cover crops release organic compounds that feed beneficial microbes and fungi. These organisms form stable soil aggregates: small, porous clusters that improve infiltration and water-holding capacity. The result is a soil that stores moisture instead of losing it, and that sustains crops longer through dry spells. 

Contrary to common assumptions, cover crops don’t necessarily compete with cash crops for water. When managed properly, they often make systems more efficient by cooling the soil, reducing evaporation, and enhancing infiltration. 

Research supports this. A long-term study at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln found that cover crops increased water infiltration and reduced evaporation without lowering irrigation efficiency in seed corn systems (Irmak, 2020). Colorado State University research also showed that root exudates from cover crops enrich soil microbes responsible for nitrogen cycling and water regulation (Seitz, 2024). 

How to Get Started 

• Choose cover crop mixes suited to your climate, soil, and rotation. Combining legumes, grasses, and brassicas provides complementary benefits. 

• Plant at times that don’t overlap with your main crop’s critical growth stages. 

• Terminate using roller crimping or mowing instead of herbicides to protect soil biology. 

• Monitor soil moisture. Many farmers find irrigation needs drop after just a few seasons. 

What to Expect 

• Stronger soil structure and water retention 

• Fewer irrigation cycles 

• Higher microbial activity and nutrient cycling 

• Greater resilience during drought or heavy rain 

Shade Management: Cooling the Microclimate 

In regenerative systems, shade isn’t a limitation. It’s also a form of design. Partial shade can protect young plants from heat stress, lower soil temperatures, and reduce water loss through evaporation. 

Shade can come from living fences, scattered trees, or agroforestry systems designed around crop cycles. Early in the season, it helps maintain soil moisture; later, it can be managed to optimize light for maturing crops. 

The key is to integrate shade that supports, not competes. Deep-rooted, low-water-demand tree species work best. Over time, they help stabilize soil moisture, create cooler microclimates, and provide habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects. These small ecological shifts add up – making farms less vulnerable to temperature extremes and water volatility. 

How to Get Started 

• Map wind direction, sunlight exposure, and slope before planting trees or hedges. 

• Select locally adapted species with deep roots and low water demand. 

• Adjust canopy density as crops mature to balance light and shade. 

What to Expect 

• Lower water demand during peak heat 

• Improved crop vigor under temperature stress 

• Increased biodiversity and ecological balance 

We help farms and projects integrate these regenerative approaches into practical water management strategies, combining ecological design with smart irrigation and data tools. As climate volatility grows, these practices don’t just conserve water; they build systems that are adaptable, productive, and more resilient year after year.