Hands-On Irrigation
Hands-On Irrigation: Building a Low-Flow System That Can Adapt to Your Rotation

Sunday, Sept. 28
1-4 p.m.
Location
Ames, IA*
Hosts
Kate Solko & Kyle Maxwell, Root to Rise Farm
Kate Solko and her partner, Kyle Maxwell, grow vegetables for their CSA and local farmers market. Kate has been working in organic and regenerative production since 2010. During the pandemic, Kyle left the restaurant industry and brought his background in food safety to the farm.
Their irrigation infrastructure consists of a main header with standardized fittings, which lets them swap easily between overhead irrigation and drip systems for any of their 29 irrigation zones. At this hands-on event, you’ll get to handle and explore irrigation tools, components and adapters. Kate and Kyle will also guide you through building a versatile one-hydrant irrigation system.
*Due to the hands-on nature of this event, attendance is limited to 20 participants and registration is required. Complete event details will be provided upon registration.
See & Discuss
- Assembling drip and overhead irrigation
- Adaptable irrigation designs to suit crop rotations in a variety of seasons
- Making the most out of a one-hydrant system and navigating low-pressure irrigation systems
- Maintaining irrigation systems and tools to prevent mineral build-up
- Irrigation strategies to cope with high-wind conditions
Location Notes
Park at Alluvial Brewery and walk past the brewery to reach the farm.
Farm Info
Sponsors
- Iowa State University Organic Agriculture Program
- Wheatsfield Cooperative