20150827-NRCS-LSC-0202
Solar powered weather monitoring field station that measures temperature and relative humidity at Reiter Berry Farms, in Watsonville, CA, on Thursday, August 27, 2015, they are working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to improve on the 30% water savings they already achieve with precision micro subsurface irrigation. The use of a Wireless Irrigation Monitoring Network (WIN) to collects data from wireless soil tensiometers positioned throughout farms in three counties will enable them to track soil conditions and better manage the watering and soil conservation efforts in more than 700 acres. They actively share their data and methods with other producers. Better management by producers using a dwindling supply and quality of ground water (wells) in this county will help recharge the aquifer and prevent the migration of nearby Pacific Ocean salt water into the ground water they use. This is one of the ways growers are extending the water supply. Other methods include use of treated water and blending of treated water with salty ground water to bring it to useable levels. Reiter Affiliated Companies (RAC) has been involved with family farming since 1868; is a leading fresh, multi-berry producer in the world; and a leading supplier of fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries in North America. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.
20150827-NRCS-LSC-0202
Solar powered weather monitoring field station that measures temperature and relative humidity at Reiter Berry Farms, in Watsonville, CA, on Thursday, August 27, 2015, they are working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to improve on the 30% water savings they already achieve with precision micro subsurface irrigation. The use of a Wireless Irrigation Monitoring Network (WIN) to collects data from wireless soil tensiometers positioned throughout farms in three counties will enable them to track soil conditions and better manage the watering and soil conservation efforts in more than 700 acres. They actively share their data and methods with other producers. Better management by producers using a dwindling supply and quality of ground water (wells) in this county will help recharge the aquifer and prevent the migration of nearby Pacific Ocean salt water into the ground water they use. This is one of the ways growers are extending the water supply. Other methods include use of treated water and blending of treated water with salty ground water to bring it to useable levels. Reiter Affiliated Companies (RAC) has been involved with family farming since 1868; is a leading fresh, multi-berry producer in the world; and a leading supplier of fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries in North America. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.