** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** FARMERS HAVE METHODS TO APPLY WATER AT THE SCALE OF A FEW FEET BUT DO NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED INFORMATION TO KNOW WHERE AND HOW MUCH WATER TO APPLY AT THAT SCALE. IF FARMERS KNEW WHICH AREAS OF A FIELD NEEDED MORE OR LESS WATER, THEY COULD GROW THE SAME AMOUNT OF PRODUCE WITH LESS WATER, BRINGING ECONOMIC BENEFITS TO THE FARMER.THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO DESIGN AND DEPLOY MANY INEXPENSIVE BLUETOOTH DEVICES IN A FIELD THAT CAN SEND SOIL WETNESS DATA TO A FEW RECEIVERS IN THE FIELD. MAPS GENERATED DAILY FROM THE WETNESS INFORMATION WILL INDICATE WHERE AND HOW MUCH WATER TO APPLY. FARMERS CAN USE THE MAPS TO PROGRAM IRRIGATION DEVICES TO APPLY WATER WHERE AND WHEN IT IS NEEDED. BY USING THIS INFORMATION, FARMERS WILL REAP ECONOMIC BENEFITS AND BE ABLE TO RESPOND BETTER TO CHANGING WEATHER PATTERNS, PRODUCTIVITY WILL INCREASE, AND LIMITED WATER RESOURCES WILL BE MORE EFFICIENTLY USED BY COMMUNITIES.
$601,241FY2024National Institute of Food and AgricultureUSDA
Brigham Young University, Provo UT