Current Research Projects
Precision Irrigation: Data-Driven Decisions for Local Agriculture
We are leading a new initiative to bring weather-driven precision irrigation tools to Northwest Washington in partnership with the Skagit Conservation District and Washington State University. This project, supported by a grant from the NRCS, focuses on providing producers in Whatcom and Skagit counties with the technology needed to make informed, data-driven irrigation decisions.
To support plant health, the study introduces two distinct tools for local farmers. First, real-time soil moisture sensors are placed directly in the field to provide a clear picture of conditions at the root zone. Second, producers have access to Washington State University’s Irrigation Scheduler Mobile (ISM) app, which uses local weather data to model irrigation needs. While these tools operate independently, they provide a multi-layered approach to monitoring field conditions, helping to reduce unnecessary energy and labor costs.
By addressing common barriers to technology adoption, the team is conducting case studies across various operation sizes and soil types. This work focuses on the crops that define the region, including raspberries, blueberries, seed potatoes, grass, and mixed vegetables. With data wirelessly uploaded to the cloud, farmers can access precise field information on their phones. This allows for hyper-local calibration based on specific micro-climates, ensuring that irrigation is tailored to the exact needs of the crop to optimize plant health and protect the long-term viability of local farms.
