Water Concerns Addressed for 2 Local Farmers with AMA

Submitted by: Katie Fitzsimmons

The Morgantown/White Hall NRCS Office Team has recently had first hand experience in working with irrigation for small crops. Two local producers, one in Marion County and one in Monongalia County, have recently addressed water concerns associated with growing blueberries, apples, and truck crops. Both producers have been assisted using the AMA program.

The Marion County farm has been in blueberry production for the last 6 years and has worked with truck crops for 8 years. During summer months there was a problem, not enough rainfall when needed. Because of this the farm had a lower production rate on their blueberries and truck crops. In 2004 the local producer applied for the AMA program in hopes of getting assistance with a much needed irrigation system to aid in watering the crops. After researching irrigation systems, Gary Ely, Soil Conservation Technician in the White Hall Service Center, was able to design a working system for the farm. A spring fed pond was constructed for a water source where water is pumped to a 2,500 gallon tank on top of the hill. The water is then gravity fed through a series of pipes and filters to provide water to 0.2 acres of blueberries and 0.3 acres of truck crops.

The Monongalia County farm has been in the apple and blueberry production business for 20+ years. Just like the Marion County farm lack of adequate rainfall was a continuing problem for the producer and his goals. Through the assistance of the 2004 AMA program, a well fed irrigation system was installed. This system was designed with knowledge of irrigation from the landowner, TSP planners, and NRCS Ag Engineer. A well was drilled for the water source and is pumped to water 4.4 acres of blueberries and 0.4 acres of apple trees while flowing through approximately 1,450 feet of pipeline.

Thanks to the AMA program and the assistance of the Morgantown/White Hall NRCS office, the local producers are now going to be able to continue to grow quality products that they will be able to market to the public as well as expanding their operations into highly productive blueberry, apple, and truck crop farms.

	Monongalia County irrigation system for blueberry field. This picture was taken during the construction phase.
	On the Monongalia County Farm the farmer is using drip irrigation to supply water to his blueberry plants.
	The Marion County Farm is using a pond to supply water for their irrigation needs. As you can see, he is utilizing a gasoline powered pump to siphon the water from the pond which then runs through a filter before being pumped up hill to an above ground storage tank.
	The Marion County Farm is utilizing an above ground tank for water storage.
	After the water leaves the storage tank it flows to this sand filter system to ensure that no debris pass on to the drip irrigation tubes. Our Marion County Farmer also included an injector at this point to aid in adding nutrients to the water.

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