Mobile Irrigation Lab

Overview

An ongoing, joint effort between the District, the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the Northwest Florida Mobile Irrigation Lab (MIL) is a free and voluntary service that helps the agricultural community increase irrigation efficiency and conserve water resources while reducing operating costs.

Since the program began in 2005, the District has provided grant funding to support the MIL, which serves agricultural producers in 16 counties across the Panhandle.

MIL team members are invited to conduct on-site evaluations of agricultural irrigation systems, where they collect field data to evaluate system efficiency and generate recommendations for improvements and best management practices. These recommendations are designed to increase irrigation efficiency and minimize over-watering, benefitting both the grower and the environment. Overwatering can result in lower crop yields and higher operation costs, as well as increased water usage.

The MIL also works to educate agricultural customers and the general public on water conservation, irrigation planning, and irrigation management.

Mobile Irrigation Lab Handbook

Access links for the handbook, which contains guidance and support information for the Mobile Irrigation Labs from Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Evaluate Your Irrigation System

Visit the FDACS website to learn more about the Mobile Irrigation Lab program throughout Florida.