Drought is top of mind for producers located in Central Oregon. The Three Sisters Irrigation District On-Farm and Renewable Energy project, funded through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), brings together NRCS Oregon, Three Sisters Irrigation District, Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District, Deschutes River Conservancy, private landowners and numerous other partners to conserve water and reduce energy demands.
Working with landowners like John Herman (pictured above left), owner and operator of Lazy Z Ranch in Sisters, Ore., NRCS and partners are able to connect to pressurized irrigation district pipeline and modernize on-farm irrigation and energy systems. In turn, farmers are able to conserve water, reduce energy demands, reduce manual labor and save money. The project serves as a shining example helping pave the way to modernization for other irrigation districts in the West battling drought impacts.