Undergraduate Researcher return to map return to student search
Hometown:
Ulaanbaatar, MN
School:
North Idaho College
Undergraduate student
Computer Science / Mechanical Engineering
Funded by EPSCoR Award:
ICREWS | OIA-2242769
Research Location(s):
Coeur d'Alene
COUNTIES: Kootenai
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT(S): District 2, District 4, District 5
Research Statement:
This project investigates the integration of satellite-derived evapotranspiration data from the OpenET platform with site specific environmental measurements collected from on site weather stations to develop a comprehensive water management system for agricultural applications. By combining OpenET's ensemble evapotranspiration estimates with real time weather data including temperature, humidity, precipitation, solar radiation, and air quality, this research aims to create an open source visualization dashboard that enables farmers, researchers, and agricultural stakeholders to monitor field level water dynamics, track water budget deficits, and make informed irrigation decisions. The study, conducted at the Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center and additional Idaho research sites through the Western SARE I-CREWS project, seeks to demonstrate how the synthesis of publicly available satellite data with locally sensed environmental data can improve water use efficiency, reduce agricultural inputs, and provide accessible, scalable tools for small and medium-sized farming operations.
Research Impact:
This research has the potential to directly benefit small and medium sized farmers who lack access to expensive precision agriculture tools by providing a free, open source water management dashboard that synthesizes satellite evapotranspiration data with locally collected weather and soil moisture measurements. By making complex hydrological data accessible and actionable through intuitive visualizations, this project empowers agricultural producers to make data driven irrigation decisions that reduce water waste, lower operational costs, and improve crop health outcomes in regions where water budgeting is a critical and often underserved need. Beyond its immediate application at Idaho research sites, the open source nature of the tools developed through this project ensures that the methodology and software can be adopted and adapted by farming communities, agricultural researchers, and extension programs across the Western United States and beyond, contributing to broader efforts in sustainable water resource management and climate resilient agriculture.