Former

Content by Abigail Tomasek

Soil-plant-water relationships

To understand irrigation, it helps to learn how water, soil, climate and plants interact. Learn how to determine your soil and crop water needs for optimal plant growth.

María Isabel Zamora Re, Todd M. Peplin, Abigail Tomasek | Apr 2026 | OSU Extension Catalog

Irrigation and water quality

Monitoring the quality of irrigation water is vital for the health of the environment and the ability of the soil to produce abundant crops. It also helps growers comply with state and federal laws.

Abigail Tomasek, María Isabel Zamora Re, Todd M. Peplin | Apr 2026 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Irrigation water scheduling

Applying too much or too little water is one of the most common irrigation challenges. But with basic field information and a few calculations, irrigators can greatly improve water-use efficiency.

María Isabel Zamora Re, Todd M. Peplin, Abigail Tomasek | Apr 2026 | OSU Extension Catalog

Oregon State University Extension Service

Soil moisture monitoring to support irrigation scheduling

María Isabel Zamora Re, Todd M. Peplin and Abigail Tomasek

Close of photo of a person's hands place a soil sensor in the ground.

EM 9868

A key part of scheduling irrigation water is knowing the moisture level of your soil. Learn what you need to know to get it right.

Soil moisture monitoring is key to irrigation scheduling and water management. It involves measuring the amount of water stored within the crop root zone to support timely and efficient irrigation decisions. Learn how moisture data can help you improve your production.

Soil moisture monitoring involves measuring the amount of water stored within the crop root zone to support timely and efficient irrigation decisions. Learn how moisture data can help you improve your production.

View now

© 2026 Oregon State University. Extension work is a cooperative program of Oregon State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Oregon counties. Oregon State University Extension Service offers educational programs, activities, and materials without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, genetic information, veteran’s status, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Accessibility: This publication will be made available in an accessible alternative format upon request. Please contact [email protected] or 541-737-3311.

Developing an irrigation water management plan

An irrigation water management plan helps producers apply the right amount of water at the right time and in the right place. This blueprint will help you develop an irrigation water management plan tailored to your farm or ranch.

María Isabel Zamora Re, Todd M. Peplin, Matthew Alongi, Abigail Tomasek | Apr 2026 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Beating the Heat: A Statewide Assessment of Drought and Heat Mitigation Practices (and Needs) with Oregon Farmers and Ranchers

Farmers and ranchers across Oregon are increasingly facing challenges related to extreme drought and heat. While emergency funds have been made available to producers impacted by these pressures in recent years, their recurrence indicates the need for both pre-emptive and longer-term solutions. The Oregon State Legislature requested that Oregon State University Extension Services conduct a statewide needs assessment with Oregon farmers and ranchers to pursue this goal. This report provides an overview of what actions are already being taken by producers to manage drought and heat and what resources and support they need to become more resilient in the face of these challenges.

Dr. Berit Dinsdale, María Isabel Zamora Re, Abigail Tomasek | Jun 2023 | Publication Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Fertilizing with Biosolids

Biosolids can be used to supply nutrients to crops. The nutrient content and fertilizer replacement value of biosolids and the relationship between biosolids nutrient inputs and crop removal of nutrients are ...

Dan M. Sullivan, Abigail Tomasek, Deirdre Griffin LaHue, Betsy Verhoeven, Amber Moore, Linda Brewer, Andy I. Bary, Craig G. Cogger, Biswanath Dari | Jun 2023 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)