The value of the pattern shift is significant only if the high and low pressure systems works in our favor, not just the increased heating of the Equatorial Pacific Ocean along the coast. So just because it’s looking favorable that a El Nino is heating things up, we need a few other factors to align as well.

As the Pacific waters warm up as predicted by NOAA and other climatologists, the ‘typical’ low pressure settles farther south and the jet stream coming inland from the west slows down. That’s what gives us that glorious summer monsoon pattern. There is more than 100 year’s worth of weather data that show warm Pacific water and low pressure systems moving south that did not provide the Southwest United States with the coveted summer (or winter) precipitation, there is never a guarantee.

So, I have a proposition for you all. What if – and this can be just a hypothetical exercise, or it can be an experiment – but what if more people elected to reduce or fallow their gardens (and lawns or at least reduced irrigation) and instead, used this summer as an opportunity to put our support into the local farmers and ranchers that do not grow as a hobby.

Hear me out: The rains lately have been fantastic, and I for one am very grateful for every drop and every snowflake in the high country, but this could be a great opportunity to shop for produce at the local farmers markets.

Durango Farmers Market opens May 9 (find them on Main Avenue for the first market date and the second Saturday of the month after that) and every other Saturday in the TBK Bank parking lot. Or if you are in Bayfield, you can always enjoy the Bayfield Farmers Market also starting May 9.

There are so many ways we can use this drought as an exercise in conservation of resources and put our time and energy into shopping at Long Table Farms, Homegrown Farms, Fields to Plate, Green Table Farm, Rohwer’s Farm, Adobe House Farm and Mocking Crow – and those are just some of the larger farms. Personally, I live for a chance to hug Shiela at Mocking Crow on a Saturday morning!

Local agriculture is such a value to our community and part of our history, and without the support of local eaters, it would be in decline. Thanks to so many of you we have seen an increase in small-scale growers in our region over the past decade. Bountiful Ridge, Big Ben’s Meats, Animas Valley Lavender, Aster Valley Farm and Anatolian Farms have all become part of our farming and ranching landscape.

I can’t list every farm or ranch (that makes it sound like I am giving my acceptance speech at an awards show) in this one column, so by all means, let your friends and neighbors know that you found a new farmer at the market and show them your support.

Reducing our individual water use can be challenging, especially when we love to grow a big garden, and I am not saying we stop that behavior; I don’t think I would survive without getting my hands in the soil and nurturing plants to life. Rather, I am proposing that we increase our awareness that we have spectacular farmers and ranchers that need us, every bit as much as we need the rain.

Then, if we do get a fabulous monsoon season, get those cool-season seeds planted in the later part of the summer and dine on that wonderful broccoli and spinach. Of course, on a selfish note, I love seeing everyone at the Durango Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, especially when you stop by the La Plata CSU Master Gardener’s booth and ask us questions or just share a smile.

Heather Houk is the Horticulture and Agriculture specialist for the La Plata County Extension Office.