Project AbstractThis project aims to design a large-scale biobed at Farming Smarter to ensure we are biofiltering all our rinsate. A mobile unit will be built to promote the adoption of on-farm pesticide rinsate biobeds and demonstrate their potential in helping food producers reduce water contamination by pesticides. We will accomplish this by using first-hand knowledge of biobed operation and construction while implementing an on-site permanent biobed here at Farming Smarter. Sharing and using these skills along with demonstrating the results to event participants and area producers aligns with our goal to aid the Alberta Farming Community. |
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Project Objectives
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Methods |
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ResultsThree employees took 2 days to assemble the biobed at Farming Smarter. The number one issue we faced was not having enough power at the site. This initially caused problems with the timers and pumps. If more than one pump cycled on at the same time, it drew too much power and would trip the system. When the system was tripped the timers reset and didnt operate. A diversion valve should be installed between the collection pad and storage tank. When rain is in the forecast you can divert the rainwater to avoid flooding from the system.
Figure 1. Photo of biobed after 1 season of use
Figure 2. Mobile biobed trailer |
RecommendationsBuild a biobed on your farm today!
Project playlist
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Articles
Biobeds are a low cost, simple way to responsibly handle pesticide rinsates and maintain healthy water and soil. Farming Smarter installed one and they're making it easier for others to have one too.
Farming Smarter wants individual farms across Alberta to build a pesticide rinsate biobed system. To facilitate this initiative, it built a mobile biobed on a trailer this winter to guide producers interested in assembling one on their farm.
Dr. Claudia Sheedy and Farming Smarter want you to build a biobed to manage pesticide rinsates on your farm.
Biobeds offer a safe way to dispose of pesticide rinsate on a farm. It can be easy to overlook the potential effects of disposing of pesticide rinsate but this is where the great benefits of a biobed come into practice.