The Irrigation Research Foundation is a private, non-profit, 3rd party 501(c)3 research and demonstration farm established in 1994 from a vision created by Ed Trautman, a local farmer who owned the farm ground the IRF sits on. Ed Trautmen donated the ground that is the IRF, and now runs 5 pivot systems and 1 lateral system all running on one centralized well that draws from 250 feet and covers 147 acres. With several successful years, the Research Farm has been able to include dry land ground and currently leases a commercial sized pivot off site. The Board of Directors, IRF Staff, brilliant entrepreneurs, local farmers, and local business owners, all share a commitment to support producers in developing and adapting farming practices and methods that are environmentally sound, and economically viable to use less water, make better informed decisions through cutting edge technology and innovative irrigation techniques.
