Irrigation System Design and Management Increase Efficiency on Northeast Missouri Cut Flower Farms
Extension Education
Jennifer Schutter
HORTICULTURE SPECIALIST
KIRKSVILLE
Abstract
University of Missouri Extension receives numerous inquiries from throughout the state relating to scale, layout, and design of irrigation systems for horticultural operations. The inquires typically come from small commercial scale producers or startup operations searching for ways to establish low cost, low maintenance, low tech systems that allow for enhanced production and system optimization. Small commercial horticultural producers are left to design their own systems as consulting services may be pricy. A properly designed and implemented irrigation system is critical to these small operations for continued harvest throughout the growing season. Three MU State Extension Specialists, were awarded a $40,000 Specialty Crops Block Grant through the Missouri Department of Agriculture to install irrigation systems on farms of horticulture producers. Due to Covid-19, the importation of cut flowers was greatly reduced creating a flower shortage for floral shops and retailers. This cut flower shortage resulted in increased demand for locally produced cut flowers initiating the request for an irrigation system on northeast Missouri cut flower farms in 2020 and 2021. Irrigation systems were set up on the farms, and workshops were conducted in late summer. Eighty-seven individuals from twelve counties and two neighboring states, participated in the workshops. Participants networked with other growers and extension professionals, gaining knowledge of valuable resources. They learned water management, water demand of flowers, water source options, types of systems, scaling systems to match need, and system operation and maintenance. Evaluations indicated participants learned how to setup up an irrigation system, the benefits of using it, and they planned to install one in their garden or on their farm. The producers indicated the irrigation installation cut their watering time and bill in half. “It really helped when we had Covid and barely had the energy to turn the water on and off. We would have lost all the plants if we were watering the way we had been before the drip irrigation.” “It allows us to grow on a much larger scale than we would be able to otherwise”. Good water management directly impacts production and income, creating more competitive, sustainable, and resilient horticultural enterprises.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Jennifer Schutter, Dan Downing, Joseph Zulovich, Jianfeng Zhou
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Schutter, J. HORTICULTURE SPECIALIST, University of Missouri Extension, Missouri, 63501
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Downing, D. Water Quality Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, Missouri, 65211
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Zulovich, J. Ag Engineer, University of Missouri Extension, Missouri, 65211
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Zhou, J. Professor, University of Missouri, Missouri, 65211