HUSA Jul 29 2026 - Chris Patton

Introduction and Background: Chris Patton from Prescott, Washington, discusses his familial farm, Tilted Acres Ranch. The farm, initially owned by his father and given to family members, spans 1,600 acres. After his father passed, some of the land was sold to settle debts. Currently, Chris’s brother Brad Patton owns their father's share of the land and has taken it out of the CRP program to farm half of it. CRP and Land Management: The Conservation Reserve Program originally included the land in 2000, which has twice been renewed. Farm management practices aimed to increase soil productivity while following regulations like spraying, mowing, and refraining from burning. The interview explored ways to maintain the land’s health, including the type of seeds used (regulated by CRP), with native plants contributing to erosion control.