Greetings!

Our strategy to improve our irrigation methods has two important components. First, we are looking into the latest technology in drip lines, sprinklers, and soil moisture sensors. Second, we are making a significant effort to understand the exact needs of each crop in order to make better decisions about when and how much to irrigate. 

Below are some examples of the equipment we hope to use at Stearns, made possible by your generous contributions:

Netafim, a company that began in 1965 by a group of farmers growing in the Negev desert in Israel, is a leading innovator and expert in precision irrigation and is very familiar with the challenges of growing in harsh conditions. They have an impressive selection of thin walled drip lines that have improved clog resistance as well as lower flow rates so they are effective over longer distances and on uneven terrain.  

Netafim also designs efficient sprinklers with various trajectory angles and flow rates depending on what growers need. Sprinklers are helpful for irrigation, seed germination, frost protection, cooling, and humidification. Netafim’s sprinklers are easy to install and move where they are needed and have uniform distribution. 

Lastly, we are looking into installing several soil moisture sensors, or IRROMETER tensiometers, that will allow us to make better decisions about when and how much to irrigate. They are able to measure soil water tension, which indicates the force necessary for root systems to extract water from the soil. 

We hope you will consider giving today. Any amount will make a huge impact on our ability to irrigate more efficiently and save this precious resource.

Give today online or send a check to Stearns Farm:

862 Edmands Rd

Framingham, MA 01701

Thank you for your generosity and support,

Ember Fleming, Stearns Farm Manager

Nomi Sofer, President, Board of Directors