Subsurface Drainage Grant Overview

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Conservation Innovation Grant Overview -
Evaluating a Subsurface Water Drainage System for Massachusetts Cranberry Production

The Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association received a Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) in 2008 from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to evaluate a subsurface water drainage system for Massachusetts cranberry production. The grant project will close in the fall of 2011. The overall goal is to determine a best management protocol for installing and managing subsurface drainage systems in Massachusetts cranberry beds. Specific objectives to be evaluated for the grant project are as follows:

Reduced water use – By effectively managing water from below, the use of overhead irrigation could be reduced.
Efficient water use - Proper spacing of a subsurface drainage system will allow for optimal water dispersal throughout the bed, eliminating dry spots.
Reduced energy consumption – Not running irrigation pumps will save energy
Reduced nutrient run-off – Farmers in other states with different cropping systems have lowered offsite run-off with subsurface drainage systems; we expect nutrients will be more apt to remain in the bog or within the water management system.
Increased crop production – If we can provide uniform water levels at the root zone, there should be less crop stress and increased production.

The Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association provides overall project management and coordination for the grant project. The UMass Cranberry Station is the scientific advisor and data collector and four cooperating growers provided the study sites. Agri Drain Corporation of Adair, Iowa, is generously providing technical expertise and a discount on much of the equipment purchased for the grant project.

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Growers ~ Programs ~Subsurface Drainage Grant Overview
Conservation Innovation Grant Overview - Evaluating a Subsurface Water Drainage System for Massachusetts Cranberry Production The Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association received a Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) in 2008 from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to evaluate a subsurface water drainage system for Massachusetts cranberry production. The grant project will close in the fall of 2011. The overall goal is to determine a best management protocol for installing and managing subsurface drainage systems in Massachusetts cranberry beds. Specific objectives to be evaluated for the grant project are as follows: Reduced water use – By effectively managing water from below, the use of overhead irrigation could be reduced. Efficient water use - Proper spacing of a subsurface drainage system will allow for optimal water dispersal throughout the bed, eliminating dry spots. Reduced energy consumption – Not running irrigation pumps will save energy Reduced nutrient run-off – Farmers in other states with different cropping systems have lowered offsite run-off with subsurface drainage systems; we expect nutrients will be more apt to remain in the bog or within the water management system. Increased crop production – If we can provide uniform water levels at the root zone, there should be less crop stress and increased production. The Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association provides overall project management and coordination for the grant project. The UMass Cranberry Station is the scientific advisor and data collector and four cooperating growers provided the study sites. Agri Drain Corporation of Adair, Iowa, is generously providing technical expertise and a discount on much of the equipment purchased for the grant project.	Subsurface Drainage Pipe - Carver, MA Subsurface Drainage Grant Navigation Overview Research Reports Photographs Grower Input Project Findings & Final Report

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