Farmers across arid regions in the united states face a perfect storm with consistent periods of drought, urban pressures on vital water resources, and economic hurdles

While climatic conditions create a barrier to production, farmers face rising fuel and input costs alongside growing inflation rates. These factors lead to more intensive and sometimes destructive farming practices that limit the soil's ability to store water and promote life. Regenerative farm practices can change the composition and overall health of the soil, but IT ISN't an immediate or universally applicable solution for farmers. Smaller-scale gardeners and landscapers have turned to peat moss for immediate improvement of water retention and soil health. While peat moss does provide improved water retention, IT is a nonrenewable resource, and its removal disrupts carbon sequestration in the BOG ecosystems. Furthermore, given its composition and price range, there is no efficient or economical way to scale or apply peat on large cropping systems for improved water-holding capacity.to address the compounding problems facing growers of all sizes, texas earth, INC. Created BIO FL & uuml; f, a natural cotton byproduct treated with beneficial microbial strains and trace minerals. BIO FL & uuml; f is sustainably sourced and highly scalable, making IT an efficient and economical alternative to peat options for row crop farmers, landscapers, and home gardeners. Cotton fibers are known to absorb and retain water in ways that other materials cannot. When beneficial microorganisms and trace minerals are incorporated into the fibers and introduced to the soil profile, IT enhances the soil's biodiversity and overall health. The organic matter of BIO FL & uuml; f, with its estimated 328% water holding capacity, is designed to reduce water usage during the growing season significantly. When farmers require less water, the energy demand for irrigation decreases, lessening the farm's carbon footprint and improving the grower's bottom line. An additional benefit to BIO FL & uuml; f is the application of diverse microbial communities that contribute to greater plant nutrient uptake, including nitrogen. Soil microbes are known to increase carbon sequestration, escalating the farm's positive impact on the climate. Locally sourced ingredients further reduce greenhouse gases and increase cotton production demand. Our research aims to determine the impact a water-saving microbial product could have on row crop production as IT relates to soil quality and health, plant yields, water and energy usage, and overall microbial populations. Lower production costs and sustainable options for growers, such as BIO FL & uuml; f, will increase farm profits that flow through rural economies impacting communities that feed the world.