Progress report for ONE24-434
Project Information
This project seeks to evaluate the effect of using a low-cost, open-source, and fully autonomous soil sensor driven irrigation controller, relative to manual irrigation management, in commercial high-tunnel production of high-value fresh-market produce. The objectives are: (i) to install the novel Open_Irr controllers on three collaborating farmer operations in Pennsylvania; (ii) to quantify and contrast water utilization of irrigation strategies, water use efficiency, and irrigation labor requirements; (iii) compare resulting marketable fruit yield, nutrient profile, and quality parameters; and (iv) to facilitate grower evaluation of the irrigation controller and foster a cooperative approach toward controller development priorities. Formal research will be conducted as a randomized complete block design with three replications. Irrigation modifications completed in Fall 2024 shall: (i) incorporate a flow sensor to meter water consumption; and (ii) facilitate irrigation study of three high-value fresh-market produce products. Marketable fresh weight will be determined during harvest events with subsamples collected to facilitate fruit quality assessment and nutrient profile determination. Throughout the season, irrigation labor requirements will be recorded to assist economic potential estimation of the fully autonomous approach to data-driven irrigation. Producer feedback regarding irrigation controller operation and performance will identify further product development priorities.
High-tunnel irrigation management is usually observationally based and implemented via manual application with a garden hose, drip line, or occasionally overhead sprinkler systems. Irrigation controllers based on frequency and duration of irrigation events are readily available. However, timing-based approaches do not take crop water requirements nor ambient environmental conditions into consideration which can result in over and under irrigation and applications of fertigated nutrients. Such approaches are associated with greater risks, considering present observations of annual climatic variability, as visual observation of stress can be preceded by adverse physiologic states. Manual irrigation approaches require constant diligence by farmers and employees to avoid losses in production efficiency and maximize profit margins. Alternative management through data-driven irrigation is emerging as a sensible option for irrigation management in other specialty crops (Hassan et al., 2021; He & Weber, 2020; Zhang et al., 2020), yet implementation cost-barriers prevent equitable adoption of such technologies for small scale operations and niche producers. Thus, high-tunnel producers stand to substantially benefit from the evaluation and validation of emerging data-driven technologies at low-cost points of entry which will reduce management risks and labor requirements to holistically improve farmer quality of life.
Validation of the data-driven approach to high-tunnel irrigation scheduling in this project has the potential to substantially advance risk mitigation in domestic high-tunnel production systems. This proposal has broad applicability to the priorities outlined by SARE’s outcome statement. This proposal’s emphasis on the equitable availability and adoption of technologies for improving the competitiveness of Northeast farmers directly conveys this notion. Nevertheless, additional consideration of environmental stewardship of resources is satisfied by the data-driven approach to water consumption by utilizing only what is required by the crop, as the approach depends on the proxy measure of soil-moisture. Moreover, this project seeks to evaluate and further the development of tools for improving the competitiveness and resilience of the Northeast production region. The approach of the proposed project has the potential to improve the economic viability and overall sustainability of high-tunnel operations in the Northeast region, which in addition to reductions in labor requirements, is projected to have a positive impact on producer quality of life.
Considering an average vegetable production water requirements of 1.5 inches wk-1, and a typical high-tunnel of 36’ by 96’ or 2880 ft2, crop water needs are approximately 1800 gal wk-1. Assuming manual irrigation of this high-tunnel by an individual using a hose rated at 5-gal min-1, it would require a minimum of 6 h wk-1 of an individual’s time for irrigating crops in the high-tunnel. Although local minimum wages vary, at $10 hr-1, ~ $60 wk-1 is required for irrigation labor alone, per high-tunnel. A 2009 study estimated high-tunnel acreage in the United States at 12,000 acres. If we assume that this project impacts the decision to implement automated data-driven irrigation practices in a modest 10% of domestic high-tunnel operations, the potential impact on farm profitability and net income at the industry level is extrapolated to approximately $1,000,000 for each week of operation.
Cooperators
Research
2025.02.05
Work outlined above has not yet commenced; transfer of funds through agreement channels has not been completed.
2026.01.07
In February 2025, difficulties with typical operational capabilities of PI Bierer occurred due to unforeseen Agency action in response to executive orders. Agreement processing was stalled and prevented timely transfer of subaward funds to PI Di Gioia. Purchasing processes, travel, and outreach were broadly affected and contributed to substantive project delay.
Site visits were conducted on 3 collaborating farms beginning in late February, 2025. At this time, soil samples were taken and site-specific installation needs were assessed. Soil samples were 12 inches deep, where permitting, then split into 0-6" and 6-12" portions for fertility analysis. Sampling was conducted in a "W" pattern across the length of the high-tunnel chosen for installation of the Open_Irr system. From March thru early April, installation activities were completed at each of the 3 collaborating farms. Installation activities involved infrastructure modifications to provide a 2nd set of irrigation lines for the research activities, analog flow-monitoring gauges, and installation of requisite Watermark 200ss sensors. In April, the Open_Irr control system was tested by farmer collaborators. Operational difficulties referenced above remained unresolved, which ultimately limited further research activities from taking place. The Open_Irr control systems remain in collaborator hands and continued to be operated by 1 of 3 farmer collaborators regardless of delayed research activities.
2025.02.05
Work outlined above has not yet commenced; transfer of funds through agreement channels has not been completed.
2026.01.07
In February 2025, difficulties with typical operational capabilities of PI Bierer occurred due to unforeseen Agency action in response to executive orders. Agreement processing was stalled and prevented timely transfer of subaward funds to PI Di Gioia. Purchasing processes, travel, and outreach were broadly affected and contributed to substantive project delay.
In light of difficulties with sub-award transfer to PI Di Gioia, the decision was made with unanimous collaborator approval to suspend research activities and pursue a 1-year No-Cost Extension to complete research activities in the 2026 season. A No-Cost Extension was subsequently granted on May 27th, 2025. The final report is now due no later than July 31, 2027.
2025.02.05
Work outlined above has not yet commenced; transfer of funds through agreement channels has not been completed.
2026.01.07
In February 2025, difficulties with typical operational capabilities of PI Bierer occurred due to unforeseen Agency action in response to executive orders. Agreement processing was stalled and prevented timely transfer of subaward funds to PI Di Gioia. Purchasing processes, travel, and outreach were broadly affected and contributed to substantive project delay.
Although the outlined work has commenced, the decision was made with unanimous collaborator approval to suspend research activities and pursue a 1-year No-Cost Extension to complete research activities in the 2026 season. A No-Cost Extension was subsequently granted on May 27th, 2025. The final report is now due no later than July 31, 2027.
Education & outreach activities and participation summary
Participation summary:
Besides conducting on-farm testing on the Open_Irr sensor-based automated irrigation systems on the three cooperator farms and engaging with all three farmers to transfer as much as possible on the proposed technology, we plan to conduct a series of Extension and outreach activities aimed at reaching a diverse audience. In collaboration with the cooperator farmers, in the summer of 2025, we will organize at least one field-day or twilight meeting, inviting neighbor farmers to see the results of the project, and offering the opportunity for demonstration of the technology and learn about its features, advantages and disadvantages from researchers as well as from the cooperating growers through peer-to-peer communication. Conducting these on-farm activities will allow us to reach small farmers that for various reasons (cost, mobility) usually do not attend professional grower meetings. We plan to publish and print through Penn State Extension one fact sheet describing the Open_Irr system, aspects of its implementation and features, and operation recommendations. Moreover, we will publish on project results through professional magazines and journals like (Vegetable Grower News and Lancaster Farming) commonly read by vegetable growers. A newsletter article will be published through the PVGA Newsletter which is printed and mailed monthly to all PVGA members. At project completion, we plan to organize a dedicated pre-conference workshop on "Sensor-based automated irrigation systems” at the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Fruit & Vegetable Convention (MAFVC). Dr. Bierer and Dr. Di Gioia will organize the full-day workshop including oral presentations and hands-on activities to demonstrate how to build and operate the low-cost sensor-based automated irrigation system. The first part of the workshop will be focused on presenting the Open_Irr technology and sharing the results of the project while also offering the opportunity for the three cooperating farmers to share their experiences using the system on their farm. The second part of the workshop will be hands-on, and offer participants the opportunity to build an Open_Irr system with the guidance of Dr. Bierer, going through on-farm set-up and implementation, and on mistakes to avoid. This workshop will allow us to engage interactively with growers that are highly interested and ready to implement this type of solution, establishing a relationship with them that will allow us to follow up with them if they need assistance in the implementation of the system. At the same time, we plan to present the results of the project through an oral presentation in one of the High Tunnel sessions of the 2026 MAFVC Conference which reaches a larger and diverse audience. The results of the project will be presented and shared with students and other stakeholders through lectures, seminars, and other events that Dr. Bierer and Dr. Di Gioia attend frequently.
2025.02.05
Work outlined above has not yet commenced; transfer of funds through agreement channels has not been completed.
2026.01.07
Principle investigators Bierer and Di Gioia have organized a pre-conference workshop "Irrigation A to Z: Modern Irrigation for Horticultural Crops" taking place on January 26, 2026 as part of the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention taking place in Hershey, PA. This full-day workshop is intended provide growers with an understanding of underlying fundamentals of soil water management in diverse soils, irrigation system design, sensor-based irrigation strategies, automated irrigation systems, and an open Q&A grower-panel.
Learning Outcomes
2025.02.05
Work outlined above has not yet commenced; transfer of funds through agreement channels has not been completed. Involved parties are now aware of the development of low-cost automation electronics in agriculture.
2026.01.07
Principle investigators Bierer and Di Gioia have organized a pre-conference workshop "Irrigation A to Z: Modern Irrigation for Horticultural Crops" taking place on January 26, 2026 as part of the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention taking place in Hershey, PA. This full-day workshop is intended provide growers with an understanding of underlying fundamentals of soil water management in diverse soils, irrigation system design, sensor-based irrigation strategies, automated irrigation systems, and an open Q&A grower-panel.
Project Outcomes
2025.02.05
Work outlined above has not yet commenced; transfer of funds through agreement channels has not been completed.
2026.01.07
Farmer collaborators have praised the use of a water storage tank in their high-tunnels originally installed for research activities; one called the tank "A game changer" for irrigation practices on their farm. The collaborators reference the utility of the tank in reducing frequent manual operation of well pumps, having water on-hand when it is needed, and potential reductions in pump use.
2025.02.05
Work outlined above has not yet commenced; transfer of funds through agreement channels has not been completed.
2026.01.07
Farmer collaborators have expressed interest in incorporating additional risk-mitigative measures for fully-autonomous irrigation events. In light of this, additional grant funding has been pursued which would allow for development of line-pressure and pump-state sensors in the Open_Irr system. Pursuit of fully autonomous irrigation is still highly sought, however, risk mitigation and compatibility with legacy infrastructure has been brought to the forefront of our attention.