Presenter: Madison Cheek
Co-Presenters: Emma Porricolo, Rena Nenot, Ashleigh Angel, Zoe Lavier, Will Dickerson, Brady Chiongbian, Wilson Hui, and Alex Burgdorfer
Mentors: Peg Boulay and Deion Jones, Environmental Science
Poster: 11
Major: Environmental Science
Our Environmental Leadership Program team is investigating the implementation of a drip irrigation system at Berggren Demonstration Farm. Through the installation of drip irrigation line from the main pump in the natural water source, a side channel off of the McKenzie River, we will work to improve the efficiencies of the electric and water usage currently employed at Berggren. Water will be saved by releasing small amounts through drip tape on the ground, which will prevent damage to crops from over-watering due to elevated sprinklers. We are analyzing the current methods used on this farm by collecting power and water usage data on-site. We will contrast past energy usage data with data collected from our improved system. Our results will be recorded and shared through Berggren and the University of Oregon in order to serve as a potential reference for other farms wishing to implement more efficient irrigation methods. We are creating a grant template that small farms could use to apply for funds to obtain a similar irrigation system. This will serve to further the goals of the Healthy Farms Clean Water Program, which aims to showcase the ability for small farms to coexist and even enhance the ecosystem it operates within. By providing insight into more efficient watering methods we hope our design will serve as a model to local farms wishing to minimize their negative impacts on our municipal water supply, which may prove useful in the coming years if we continue to experience drought conditions.