CSU Ag Water Quality

Behind the scenes: lots of smiles with Barnfly Productions!

The AWQP team would like to extend our gratitude to the Barnfly team for documenting our logger assembly process to life and collaborating to communicate the power of technology in agriculture. Not only do they make us look good, we all have fun working together.

From the lab to the field.

A close up view of the AWQP data logger assembly and deployment in the field. From soldered wire connections, to the Particle boron boards for cellular connection, to the solar panel and battery that power the device – each part of the data logger plays a role in helping gain insight on field conditions. Each component comes together to monitor and keep track of whichever variable is of interest, from humidity, temperature, soil moisture, and beyond. These metrics are powerful in monitoring crop health as it relates to management of pesticide application and water quality.

To learn more (if you would like to build your own!) you can visit: https://github.com/CSU-Agricultural-Water-Quality-Program/awqp-loggers

Water is vital to agriculture. Not only do we need water to farm, but the quality of the water used on our fields, plays a role in important factors like crop yield and the health of the soil.

Water quality sampling is an important part of the CSU's Ag Water Quality Program (AWQP) research. Water quality samples are collected as different practices are implemented in fields. The water quality data is used to learn the impact of agricultural practices.

The AWQP uses three primary methods to sample water quality: AWQP-developed Automatic Programmable Low Cost Samplers, industry standard automatic samplers and grab sampling.

Automated water quality samplers are a powerful tool for monitoring and caring for our waters. Using automatic samplers allows for us to collect water from agricultural fields and other areas without being there in person.

In addition to using industry standard automatic samplers, the AWQP has developed a Low-Cost Water Quality Sampler. If you'd like to see how these methods compare, or would like to build your own low-cost sampler, visit our GitHub page at: https://github.com/CSU-Agricultural-Water-Quality-Program/awqp-loggers

Grab sampling is a tried and true method for collecting water samples in difficult to access locations and offers a snap shot in time of water quality.

For , we're highlighting the many ways our faculty, staff and students are advancing water-focused research to support the future of agriculture.

💧Learn more about the AWQP ➡️ col.st/91t5g

Colorado State University College of Agricultural Sciences

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗴 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟰! We're headed to the Colorado State Capitol to help celebrate the impact of agriculture in Colorado, and the state’s hard-working farmers and ranchers. Visit booths showing the wide variety of agriculture in our great state. And enjoy lunch! Hosted by the Colorado Ag Council, it goes 10am-3pm.

The CSU Agronomy Club members aspire to attend the CANVAS meetings each year to learn, connect and develop professional skills. They have created a RamFunder (similar to a GoFundMe) trough CSU with hopes of jumpstarting the fundraising to attend the November meeting. All funds received directly support the club. If you are interested in supporting CSU's Agronomy Club, you can click on the link below.

2026 Agronomy Club Tri-Societies Conference Support the 2026 Agronomy Club Tri-Societies Conference!

Last week at the Youth Climate Leadership Summit was nonstop energy! The AWQP team was amazed by the number of high school and middle schoolers that were interested in our program and the great questions they asked.