Johanning Farms experienced wet conditions earlier in the growing season, but are now enjoying dry conditions as they harvest dark red, light red and white kidney beans near Park Rapids, Minnesota.

How much water does it take to grow 100 pounds of kidney beans? Most people wouldn’t think to ask such as question — but if you are a family business competing on a global scale, the answer matters.

Most of us who garden don’t have the space to grow grain crops such as wheat or barley, but we have space to grow legumes such as beans and peas. Legumes are second in importance only to grains in the ...