@BowsacNoodle @givenup sloped land will get rain down the slope faster than it can penetrate the ground. you want to stop that, so yes i think.
You can dig by hand, small gutters 90degree opposed to slope.
find 'contour trenching" peter westerveld

(green) house partially in ground or hill is for temperature management, cools in summer and warms in winter. a little.

you can use all kinds of plants that grow fast for mulch to cover the ground. mulching works.