Irrigation Water Quality Protection
Funding supports an Irrigation Specialist to develop guidance and provide education on irrigation and nitrogenbest management practices (BMPs). In this position, Dr. Vasu Sharma provides direct support to irrigators onissues of irrigation scheduling and soil water monitoring. She is collaborating on the development of new irrigationscheduling tools that help irrigators manage water and nitrogen resources more precisely. These tools help reducenitrogen leaching losses in irrigated cropping systems.
Dr. Vasu Sharma
Irrigation Extension Specialist
vasudha@umn.edu
University of Minnesota
439 Borlaug Hall
1991 Upper Buford Circle
St. Paul, MN 55108-6028
Irrigation of nitrogen demanding row crops (such as corn, potatoes and edible beans) is a major potential source of nitrate in groundwater especially in the areas with coarse-textured (sandy) soils such as those commonly found in central Minnesota. The number of irrigation permits is currently at an all-time high. Water management and nitrogen fertilizer strategies must be managed together. Many farmers, particularly those newly implementing irrigation, would benefit from increased education on irrigation and nitrogen best management practices (BMPs).
The absence of an Irrigation Specialist was identified as a critical need by the irrigation community and other ag stakeholders. During the 2011 Forum on Minnesota Irrigated Agriculture. the lack of an irrigation specialist at the University of Minnesota was one of the most important issues discussed.
Report on the Forum on Minnesota Irrigation Agriculture March 8, 2011
Minnesota’s Irrigation Specialist position started in June 2014 and is providing education on irrigation management and nitrogen fertilizer best management practices (BMPs). This position is collaborating with public and private entities to develop and demonstrate tools and technology to protect and conserve groundwater resources.
M.L. 2023: (g) $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the second year are for a regional irrigation water quality specialist through University of Minnesota Extension. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2028.
- Number of presentations, workshops and other educational events hosted each year and the number of farmers, crop consultants and co-op dealers that attend
- Number of local units of government participating in irrigator outreach and education activities
- Number of partners collaborating on the development of new irrigation scheduling tools that help irrigators manage water and nitrogen resources more precisely
- Number of irrigation BMPs revised, developed, and promoted
- Number of BMPs adopted
M.L. 2023: (g) $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the second year are for a regional irrigation water quality specialist through University of Minnesota Extension. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2028.
- Number of presentations, workshops and other educational events hosted each year and the number of farmers, crop consultants and co-op dealers that attend
- Number of local units of government participating in irrigator outreach and education activities
- Number of partners collaborating on the development of new irrigation scheduling tools that help irrigators manage water and nitrogen resources more precisely
- Number of irrigation BMPs revised, developed, and promoted
- Number of BMPs adopted
From 2014-2024, the University of Minnesota-Extension Irrigation Specialist Position has completed 212 educational events (presentations, workshops, field days), published 38 blogs/podcasts, and submitted 14 peer-reviewed journal articles to engage over 11,000 farmers, crop consultants, and co-op dealers. This work is in cooperation with 42 local units of government (LGUs).
M.L. 2021: (g) $135,000 the first year and $135,000 the second year are for a regional irrigation water quality specialist through University of Minnesota Extension. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2025.
- Number of presentations, workshops and other educational events hosted each year and the number of farmers, crop consultants and co-op dealers that attend
- Number of local units of government participating in irrigator outreach and education activities
- Number of partners collaborating on the development of new irrigation scheduling tools that help irrigators manage water and nitrogen resources more precisely
- Number of irrigation BMPs revised, developed, and promoted
- Number of BMPs adopted
M.L. 2021: (g) $135,000 the first year and $135,000 the second year are for a regional irrigation water quality specialist through University of Minnesota Extension. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2025.
- Number of presentations, workshops and other educational events hosted each year and the number offarmers, crop consultants and co-op dealers that attend
- Number of local units of government participating in irrigator outreach and education activities
- Number of irrigators participating in Clean Water funded irrigation management programs
- Number of irrigation best management practices (BMPs) revised, developed, and promoted
- Number of BMPs adopted
From 2014-2022, the University of Minnesota-Extension Irrigation Specialist Position has completed over 180 educational events (presentations, workshops, field days), published 26 blogs/podcasts, and submitted 9 peer-reviewed journal articles to engage over 10,000 farmers, crop consultants, and co-op dealers. This work is in cooperation with 20 local units of government (LGUs).
About 500 irrigators, managing about 100,000 irrigator acres, participated in Clean Water funded irrigation management programs (irrigation clinics, irrigation field days, nitrogen management conference).
At least 250 irrigators access daily evapotranspiration weather information for water management.
In FY21: 3 sets of irrigation BMPs revised, developed, and promoted
- Early season irrigation water management (Link to blog)
- Crop water use and irrigation timing (Link to blog)
- Irrigation and nutrient management (Link to blog)
- Checklist for winterizing your irrigation system (2020)
- Predicting the last irrigation for corn and soybeans in central Minnesota (2020)
- How to ensure efficient crop irrigation management (2020)
- Interested in upgrading your irrigation system? Cost-share program available to irrigators in 19 Minnesota counties (2022)
Other notable deliverables from this position:
- Developed a new two-day training to cover new irrigation technology, nitrogen management, and water management “Minnesota Irrigators Program”
- Participants that complete the course and are MAWQCP certified are eligible for Irrigation Water Management endorsement
- Irrigation scheduling references and BMPs (2020)
- Statewide Irrigation Soils map and Survey (2020)
- GIS Irrigability Data Layer (2020)
- Has developed an Extension publication “Irrigation Best Management Practices for Minnesota”. The publication is currently under review (2022)
Precision Irrigation Cost-Share
- $1.2M in state funds used to leverage $3,510,000 funds from the USDA NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)
- 33 partners provide financial and technical support for precision irrigation to irrigators
(USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS), soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs), institutes of education, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, state agencies, irrigator's associations, and businesses) - 5-year project
- First opened for applications May 2022 and a second round of cost-share closed December 16, 2022.
M.L. 2019: (g) $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the second year are for a regional irrigation water qualityspecialist through University of Minnesota Extension.
- Number of presentations, workshops and other educational events hosted each year and the number offarmers, crop consultants and co-op dealers that attend
- Number of local units of government participating in irrigator outreach and education activities
- Number of irrigators participating in Clean Water funded irrigation management programs
- Number of irrigation best management practices (BMPs) revised, developed, and promoted
- Number of BMPs adopted
Please see the most recent fiscal year for a summary.
M.L. 2019: (g) $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the second year are for a regional irrigation water quality specialist through University of Minnesota Extension.
- Number of presentations, workshops and other educational events hosted each year and the number offarmers, crop consultants and co-op dealers that attend
- Number of local units of government participating in irrigator outreach and education activities
- Number of irrigators participating in Clean Water funded irrigation management programs
- Number of irrigation best management practices (BMPs) revised, developed, and promoted
- Number of BMPs adopted
In 2015-2020:
- About 7,100 farmers, crop consultants, and co-op dealers participated in 118 educational events (presentations,workshops, field days)
- 20 local government unit partners are involved in irrigation water quality protection
- 500 irrigators, managing about 100,000 acres, participated in Clean Water Fund supported irrigation management programs (irrigation clinics, irrigation field days, nitrogen management conference)
In 2020:
- About 250 irrigators accessed daily evapotranspiration weather information for water management
- Three new irrigation best management practices were revised, developed and promoted online
M.L. 2017: (h) $110,000 the first year and $110,000 the second year are to provide funding for a regional irrigationwater quality specialist through University of Minnesota Extension.
Please see the most recent fiscal year for up to date information.
Please see the most recent fiscal year for up to date information.
M.L. 2017: (h) $110,000 the first year and $110,000 the second year are to provide funding for a regional irrigationwater quality specialist through University of Minnesota Extension.
Please see the most recent fiscal year for up to date information.
Please see the most recent fiscal year for up to date information.
M.L. 2015: (h) $110,000 the first year and $110,000 the second year are to provide funding for a regional irrigationwater
quality specialist through University of Minnesota Extension.
Please see the most recent fiscal year for up to date information.
Irrigation specialist: Joshua Stamper
FY14-15: The University of Minnesota-Extension Irrigation Specialist Position completed 42 presentations, workshops and other educational events attended by approximately 2,300 farmers, crop consultants and co-op dealers. Worked in cooperation with 8 local units of government (LGUs).
FY16-17: 44 education and outreach activities were completed involving approximately 2,700participants. Cooperation continues with 8 LGUs.
- New irrigation scheduling references and BMPs are under development which will lead to greater irrigation BMP adoption.
- Dakota County Irrigation Scheduling Program focused on providing technical advice to irrigators about irrigation water management tools that matched their irrigation management. Surveyed irrigators and determined that there is significant interest in collecting in-season irrigation water sampling to credit nitratesthat are in irrigation water sample.
Completed:
- Revision of irrigation water management publications
- Statewide Irrigation Soils map and Survey
- GIS Irrigability Data Layer
- YouTube Videos (easily accessible educational materials)
Irrigation specialist Dr. Vasu Sharma started July 1, 2018
M.L. 2015: (h) $110,000 the first year and $110,000 the second year are to provide funding for a regional irrigationwater quality specialist through University of Minnesota Extension.
Please see the most recent fiscal year for up to date information.
Please see the most recent fiscal year for up to date information.
M.L. 2013: (h) $110,000 the first year and $110,000 the second year are to provide funding for a regional irrigationwater quality specialist through University of Minnesota Extension.
- Number of presentations, workshops and other educational events hosted each year and the number of farmers, crop consultants and co-op dealers that attend
- Number of local units of government participating in irrigator outreach and education activities
- Number of partners collaborating on the development of new irrigation scheduling tools that help irrigators manage water and nitrogen resources more precisely
- Number of irrigation BMPs revised, developed, and promoted
- Number of BMPs adopted
- Number of presentations, workshops and other educational events hosted each year and the number of farmers, crop consultants and co-op dealers that attend (96 events / 395 participants)
- Number of local units of government participating in irrigator outreach and education activities (8)
- Number of partners collaborating on the development of new irrigation scheduling tools that help irrigators manage water and nitrogen resources more precisely (6)
Information will be collected via personal conversations, interviews, focus groups or surveys for these performance measures.
- Number of irrigation BMPs revised, developed, and promoted
- Number of BMPs adopted
M.L. 2013: (h) $110,000 the first year and $110,000 the second year are to provide funding for a regional irrigationwater quality specialist through University of Minnesota Extension.
Please see the most recent fiscal year for up to date information.
Please see the most recent fiscal year for up to date information.