Numerous field days and grower demonstrations offered participants the opportunity to observe microirrigation in a field settings across the nation. Growers were able to gain 'hands-on' experience with drip irrigation systems and new design features. Testing and demonstration of variable irrigation criteria and variations in drip system designs provided growers scientific results to optimize their yields of vegetable, fruit, seed and cereal crops while minimizing input costs.

Extensive efforts are made by the participants of this project to provide timely extension materials and reports in formats useful to growers. Many of these materials have also been published on the Internet. Presentations are regularly made at grower association meetings. Undergraduate and graduate students have been included in research programs across the country.

Presentations were made demonstrating the benefits of RDI at the annual statewide dried plum and almond industry group meetings. A survey of dried plum growers showed that 6% of the growers state wide are using the pressure chamber to schedule irrigation.

A tensiometer demonstration trial was conducted with Amish growers of greenhouse tomatoes in SE Iowa. Although they installed microirrigation tubing they did not know when to water or how much to apply. Two equipment stations, each containing a 6-inch and 12-inch tensiometer, were established in each greenhouse and growers instructed on their use. Results indicated considerable soil moisture tension variability within a greenhouse.

The livestock wastewater SDI system is part of the Kansas State University, Waste Management Learning Center. An on-site overview on the use of microirrigation technologies for wastewater application was conducted for three undergraduate lab classes (about 15 students in each class) of Biological and Agricultural Engineering and Agricultural Technology Management majors at Kansas State University.