Water management schools slated for Northeast Arkansas this month
by March 1, 2022 5:05 pm 389 views
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture irrigation team will host a series of irrigation and water management schools in Northeast Arkansas for producers seeking to reduce their water use in 2022.
“The schools are small groups with short instruction periods and include practical exercises,” said Chris Henry, associate professor and water management engineer for the Division of Agriculture.
Three Surge and Soil Moisture Sensor Schools are currently scheduled, but instructors will offer additional schools upon request. The schools will cover use, layout and programming of surge valves for different soil types and conditions and will provide participants with the basics of soil moisture sensors, as well as instruction on how to use them to schedule irrigation. Participants will make a set of Watermark sensors, a slide hammer installation tool and a manual reader, which are needed to properly install soil moisture sensors. Instructors will demonstrate how to properly use and program surge valves through hands-on exercises.
Surge and Soil Moisture Sensor schools each run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. They will be held in Jonesboro on March 8, Colt on March 10, and at Stuttgart on March 15.
Registration for the school is free. If a participant wants to build the sensors, those supplies cost $500. Registration is required two days before the scheduled school. The cost covers four sensors, a slide hammer installation tool and a manual reader. Industry sponsors have provided a significant discount on the supplies needed to get started with sensors so that participants can get the tools needed to use sensors effectively for irrigation.
“The school is designed for those that want to use sensors in 2022,” Henry said. “We will prepare participants with all of the items needed so they can walk out the door and install and use sensors on their farm.”
The number of participants for each school is limited to 20 people. To have a school hosted in your area, contact your county extension office.
The Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Board, Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board and the Natural Resource Conservation Service support the school.