The voices of smart irrigation: Stories from the pros at the forefront of water efficiency

Michael Meyer, CID, of Coast Water Solutions has been working in the industry for 12 years. In his position as general manager, he balances a wide range of responsibilities, including new project development, design and delegation as well as overall company operations. Meyer says he is fortunate to work with a talented team of designers, field technicians, warehouse personnel and sales staff who take pride in their work.  

What first pulled you into irrigation—and what’s kept you in it?  

My father, Brian Meyer, founded our company in 2003. At 18 years old, I chose to attend Cal Poly and pursue a degree in agriculture and irrigation, with the goal of returning to Oxnard and building upon the foundation he had established. Since then, I have been fortunate to continue his legacy while helping lead the company’s growth and success. What keeps me passionate about agriculture is the people, the unique work environment, and the constant variety of challenges and opportunities that make every day different. 

How do you work to be a champion of promoting smart irrigation? 

I do my best to encourage growers to implement modern and efficient irrigation systems and practices. Through product knowledge, education and well-designed irrigation systems, our goal is to maximize distribution uniformity and application efficiency to promote long-term sustainability and improve crop yield. 

With drought affecting many areas of the country this summer, what role can smart irrigation play in helping communities reach their water saving goals?  

Smart irrigation can help save water when used correctly – utilizing technologies such as automation, soil moisture monitoring and weather-based scheduling to apply the right amount of water, at the right time and in the right place. These practices will help farmers, landscapers and municipalities reduce water waste while maintaining healthy and productive crops. 

If you could snap your fingers and fix one barrier to smarter irrigation adoption, what would it be? 

Encouraging the experienced growers and irrigators to overcome the learning curve of modern technologies to understand the long-term value of new practices.