Water Use Efficiency is the ratio between effective water use and actual water withdrawal (FAO). Drip irrigation is estimated to be 90-95% efficient, while surface irrigation is 60% efficient, and sprinkler irrigation is approximately 50% efficient. Although drip irrigation is by far the most efficient and is the recommended form of irrigation for vegetable production, many new Kentucky growers do not use drip irrigation and do not know how to set up a drip irrigation system.

A Beginning Farmer Irrigation Basics webinar and in-person workshop were hosted by UK Horticulture Extension faculty, Rachel Rudolph and Brent Arnoldussen. The webinar was held March 26. Participants were encouraged to take part in the live webinar or watch the recording which was made available on YouTube before attending the workshop. The workshop was held at the UK Horticulture Research Farm on April 23.

The webinar discussed the different components of drip irrigation, calculations necessary for system pressure, the need for irrigation zones, evaluating soil moisture, and crop modeling. During the workshop, we demonstrated how to set up a drip irrigation system for small acreage production systems, including open field vegetables, high tunnels, orchards, and small fruit. We showed participants the different components to a drip irrigation system that are needed and others that are optional, but may be useful.

Participants were a combination of beginning growers, homeowners, and county agents. All participants indicated that they had greater confidence in the top of irrigation after attending workshop than they did before. Half of the grower participants indicated they felt "very confident" that they can construct an irrigation system on their own. The remaining half indicated that they were "fairly confident," but may still need assistance. All participants indicated they planned to use drip irrigation after attending the workshop. None indicated they planned to use overhead watering after attending the workshop.

The majority of participants indicated that they use municipal water as their water source, which is treated water that is likely very reliable. However, it is more expensive than other water sources, such as wells, ponds, or rivers. If a grower uses surface water irrigation and their municipal water bill is $1,000 per month, they could potentially save $350 per month by switching to drip irrigation. That is a potential savings of $4,200 annually. If all six grower participants switched to drip irrigation, that is a potential savings of more than $25,000.

All participants indicated they liked the combination of a webinar followed by a workshop.

REFERENCES

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. No Date. Water Use Efficiency. https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/agwa/docs/1_Efficiency_Thematic%20Brief_En.pdf