Once again, producers in La Porte County who irrigate cropland in the Kankakee River  watershed have an opportunity to receive grant funds under a new USDA program that is part of the 2008 Farm Bill. Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) is a new conservation initiative that focuses on improving overall irrigation system efficiency to  conserve water use and improve water quality. This voluntary program is administered through NRCS.   Producers are encouraged to apply for AWEP (a part of Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)  early as funds are limited and based on a competitive ranking.  

To assist producers with evaluating the efficiency of their irrigation systems, the La Porte County Soil and Water Conservation  District is providing an Irrigation Technician this and future summers to assess uniformity of watering systems and to help with irrigation scheduling.  Producers who irrigate can request assistance for evaluation of up to two systems. A web-based scheduling tool aids producers in determining when water should be applied and how much in order to achieve optimum yields for several different soil types and    irrigated crops. Producers do not have to be   enrolled in either AWEP or EQIP to receive these services.

Irrigation Scheduling
This includes: soil type, water holding capacity, crop type, application rates, rainfall, and heat units.

Benefits:

• Payout to farmers
• System upgrades assistance
• Increased efficiency
• Increase resource utility
• Responsibility of farmers: report rainfall and water application
• Reasonable Cost

Contact Info:
Zach Lindborg, Irrigation Technician
219-363-8397
Office: 219-362-6633, ext. 3
Or contact us for additional information

Theresa Wojkovich
LaPorte USDA Service Center
219-363-6633, ext 3