Designing and optimizing irrigation systems for drought resiliency, water efficiency and crop quality

Location: Pioneer Gardens Farm, 425 Greenfield Rd, Deerfield, MA 01342

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This workshop at Pioneer Gardens in South Deerfield, MA will bring farmers and irrigation system designers together to look at emerging irrigation practices that increase water efficiency. Participants will have the opportunity to walk through and discuss the irrigation systems at Pioneer Gardens that were designed and implemented under the direction of a professional engineer.

The on‑site discussion will include:

• Irrigation water management using automated soil moisture sensors and an on‑site weather station, with discussion of how to interpret data and translate it into real‑world irrigation decisions
• Use of pressure regulators across the system to maintain uniform flow and pressure, a key factor in achieving even irrigation and minimizing over‑ or under‑watering
• Mainline and riser layout designed with risers spaced at 42 ft 3 in, coordinated with GPS‑guided tractor operations to improve efficiency and avoid interference with field work
• A large irrigation boom system using low‑flow, low‑pressure rotating nozzles to achieve high application uniformity with reduced water use and energy demand
• Above‑ground solid‑set irrigation using similar low‑flow, low‑pressure rotating nozzles, providing flexible coverage and consistent distribution
• An upgrade from a fire‑truck‑based irrigation pump to a high‑efficiency, automated electric pump, improving reliability, energy efficiency, and operational control

The goal of this walkthrough is to connect engineering design choices with day‑to‑day farm management decisions, showing how thoughtful system design can reduce labor, improve crop quality, and make irrigation more predictable during dry periods.

The event will include opportunities for farmers to share their own approaches to irrigation, including discussion of labor efficiency and decision-making during droughts. We will also provide information on grants and other funding sources for irrigation and related infrastructure.

Following the workshop there will be a networking session with a light meal.

This work is supported by the Northeast Extension Risk Management project award no. 2025-70027-45395, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.