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As California’s wet season begins drawing to a close, growers across the state are preparing themselves — and their crops — for the dry forecasts ahead. In a state where every drop of water counts, precipitation matters more now than it ever did before.
That’s why some environmentalists have begun talking about fog harvesting, a sustainable water-gathering practice that uses a mesh net to capture fog droplets from the air. These droplets collect on the net, combine together to form larger drops, and eventually run down the netting into a trough. The water is then stored in a tank, basin, or irrigation system for future use. Although ideal for foggy coastal areas where the air is full of drew, this method of water collection has been studied — and proven effective — in some of the driest places on earth, too, including the Atacama Desert in Chile.
Closer to home, 10 fog collectors are currently in use at the California State University library, where they provide additional water for the campus’ sapling oak trees. Since the basic components of a fog collector are cheap to buy, easy to maintain, and require no electricity to operate, the success of Cal State’s experiment could convince California growers to add fog harvesting to their own irrigation plans.
Of course, a good irrigation plan also requires irrigation expertise. At FGS, we’ve been helping our fellow Californians grow, package, and ship their crops to market for more than a century. The growing process cannot succeed without water, which is why our irrigation department is standing by to assist you, whether you’re looking for fresh sprinkler heads, new tubing, or even a custom-designed irrigation system tailored to your needs.
Let’s get you watered! Give us a call today.
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2025-04-01 08:57:35
Karl Hoffman is a distinguished agriculturalist with over four decades of experience in sustainable farming practices. He holds a Ph.D. in Agronomy from Cornell University and has made significant contributions as a professor at Iowa State University. Hoffman’s groundbreaking research on integrated pest management and soil health has revolutionized modern agriculture. As a respected farm journalist, his column “Field Notes with Karl Hoffman” and his blog “The Modern Farmer” provide insightful, practical advice to a global audience. Hoffman’s work with the USDA and the United Nations FAO has enhanced food security worldwide. His awards include the USDA’s Distinguished Service Award and the World Food Prize, reflecting his profound impact on agriculture and sustainability.
