Advanced Precision Irrigation 2.0 - WyEast is leading an innovation project to develop a system that utilized remote sensors and live weather data to optimize irrigation system operations. You may think of it as the Internet of Things on the Farm. The results are substantial water & energy savings, increase crop yields, increased crop quality, improvements to water quality, and keeping Farmers in business.
USDA Rural Development (Awarded May 2016) - Rural Energy At Work will help farmers, ranchers, and small business owners improve energy efficiency and use more renewable energy. The Rural Energy at Work, a coalition of public and private organizations dedicated to advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy to agricultural producers and small businesses in the Central Oregon region east of the Cascades including a small area of Northern California. Sustainable Northwest is a co-sponsor of the grant.
Sustainable Northwest & Klamath Basin/Energy Trust of Oregon – 2013 to Current - Work in coordination with Sustainable Northwest and Klamath Watershed Partnership to seek energy efficiency projects within the Agriculture Sector. To date, we have worked with 104 landowners and stakeholders. The goal of this project is to pursue energy efficiency projects within the Agricultural Sector, These projects are typically related to irrigation efficiency and produce substantial water savings. Renewable Energy project planning and development are pursued if the site appears to be a good candidate, most all the renewable projects are for on-farm Solar PV.
Bonneville Power Administration Contractor – 2013 to Current - Wy’East is currently under contract as an Agriculture Program Specialist supporting the Rural Electric Cooperatives & PUDs with their Agriculture Sector Energy Efficiency Initiative (EEI). Wy’East completes an average of 150 projects per year, producing approximately 3,500,000 kWh in annual savings. Our assigned area includes a majority of Oregon and sections of Southern Washington.
Rural Electrification-Electric Tractors- 2020-Present- Much like traditional tractors, electric tractors provide the power needed to perform tasks in both the agricultural field and other sectors. They are powered by electricity and perform tasks such as cultivating, hauling heavy machinery, and several other tasks requiring their immense strength.
Electric tractors are powered by electricity rather than diesel. They don't release carbon emissions which contribute to pollution and climate change. They are capable of performing at lest as well as other tractors with the same horsepower.
Today's electric tractors have shown promise on a variety of farms. Vineyards and locations that currently use smaller tractors are a great fit for electric tractors. In the next few years, e-tractors with stronger (higher HP) motors and bigger batteries will be available for locations that need more power and even longer run times.
Forth currently owns two e-tractors that are being rotated in several farms around Oregon for farmers to test out. The current tractors are the 40HP Solectrac e-Utility and the 30HP Farmtrac Compact Electric Tractor (CET).
The tractors plug into a 220-240 volt outlet which is frequently already built into barns as welding plugs. Tractors are typically stored in the same location every day which is convenient for charging them after a workday. The charge time is generally around 4 hours based on current technology.
Depending on the tractor, the size of the battery, and the load it's pulling, they can last up to 12 hours in the field. Different models have the option of swapping battery.
There are many benefits in using e-tractors. Benefits include; no carbon emissions/more sustainable, no exhaust which means no more breathing in toxic fumes or worrying about the long-term effects of inhaling these toxic fumes, less sound which can improve communication while working, and save money on maintenance and fuel.
USDA Rural Development (Awarded May 2016) - Rural Energy At Work will help farmers, ranchers, and small business owners improve energy efficiency and use more renewable energy. The Rural Energy at Work, a coalition of public and private organizations dedicated to advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy to agricultural producers and small businesses in the Central Oregon region east of the Cascades including a small area of Northern California. Sustainable Northwest is a co-sponsor of the grant.
Sustainable Northwest & Klamath Basin/Energy Trust of Oregon – 2013 to Current - Work in coordination with Sustainable Northwest and Klamath Watershed Partnership to seek energy efficiency projects within the Agriculture Sector. To date, we have worked with 104 landowners and stakeholders. The goal of this project is to pursue energy efficiency projects within the Agricultural Sector, These projects are typically related to irrigation efficiency and produce substantial water savings. Renewable Energy project planning and development are pursued if the site appears to be a good candidate, most all the renewable projects are for on-farm Solar PV.
Bonneville Power Administration Contractor – 2013 to Current - Wy’East is currently under contract as an Agriculture Program Specialist supporting the Rural Electric Cooperatives & PUDs with their Agriculture Sector Energy Efficiency Initiative (EEI). Wy’East completes an average of 150 projects per year, producing approximately 3,500,000 kWh in annual savings. Our assigned area includes a majority of Oregon and sections of Southern Washington.
Rural Electrification-Electric Tractors- 2020-Present- Much like traditional tractors, electric tractors provide the power needed to perform tasks in both the agricultural field and other sectors. They are powered by electricity and perform tasks such as cultivating, hauling heavy machinery, and several other tasks requiring their immense strength.
Electric tractors are powered by electricity rather than diesel. They don't release carbon emissions which contribute to pollution and climate change. They are capable of performing at lest as well as other tractors with the same horsepower.
Today's electric tractors have shown promise on a variety of farms. Vineyards and locations that currently use smaller tractors are a great fit for electric tractors. In the next few years, e-tractors with stronger (higher HP) motors and bigger batteries will be available for locations that need more power and even longer run times.
Forth currently owns two e-tractors that are being rotated in several farms around Oregon for farmers to test out. The current tractors are the 40HP Solectrac e-Utility and the 30HP Farmtrac Compact Electric Tractor (CET).
The tractors plug into a 220-240 volt outlet which is frequently already built into barns as welding plugs. Tractors are typically stored in the same location every day which is convenient for charging them after a workday. The charge time is generally around 4 hours based on current technology.
Depending on the tractor, the size of the battery, and the load it's pulling, they can last up to 12 hours in the field. Different models have the option of swapping battery.
There are many benefits in using e-tractors. Benefits include; no carbon emissions/more sustainable, no exhaust which means no more breathing in toxic fumes or worrying about the long-term effects of inhaling these toxic fumes, less sound which can improve communication while working, and save money on maintenance and fuel.