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myregion.org is. . .
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An organization of citizens and leaders from public, private and institutional sectors who have launched a program to prepare the Central Florida Region to compete more effectively in the 21st century while enhancing the quality of life of its citizenry.
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Upcoming Dates
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September 13, 2005
myregion.org Presentation
Orange County Board of Commissioners
September 19, 2005
Florida Tech Presentation
September 19, 2005
Presentation to Tamil Nadu and Cuddalore, India
September 22, 2005
Florida Value Study Presentation
September 23, 2005
Polk County Meeting
September 26, 2005
Kissimmee Audubon Society Presentation
September 30, 2005
VCARD and Daytona Chamber Presentation
October 14,2005
Myregion.org Board of Directors Meeting
Lake Sumter Community College (Leesburg)
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Hybrid Irrigation System from Holloway Technology
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September 8, 2005
Regional Business Focuses on Water Conservation
The Central Florida Regional Indicators Report, produced for myregion.org earlier this year, recognized that finding other options for water reclamation and conservation would be essential as the region deals with an increased strain on the freshwater aquifers and surface waters in the region.
Holloway Technology, a leader in alternative irrigation technologies, has created an innovative way to take advantage of the large annual rainfall in the region as an alternative to using existing water resources. On September 2, 2005, they sponsored an agricultural education conference to showcase advances in water conservation and to unveil Holloway’s Hybrid Irrigation System.
The culmination of eight years of research and development, the Hybrid Irrigation System is a water-efficient, low maintenance system inspired by ancient irrigation techniques. The closed-loop ecosystem is self-sustaining in areas with a minimum of 30 inches of annual rainfall. Water transfer from the reservoir to the plant bay uses gravity and water pressure, requiring very little energy. The white, polyethylene liner captures nearly all rainfall and agricultural runoff while a computerized central control allows customization of watering patterns for optimal plant growth. Solar panels generate the supplemental electricity needed to run the system.
A breakthrough in container irrigation technology, the Hybrid Irrigation System is a winner of the 2002 Florida Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award. Modern engineering advances save up to 80% more water than traditional irrigation methods and bring growers a comprehensive irrigation system that drastically reduces costs and increases plant health and yields. The innovative design has won recognition and admiration from agricultural scientists, environmental agencies and nursery owners alike.
Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Charles Bronson was the education conference keynote speaker. He addressed the importance of water conservation and the government’s role in supporting the development and use of water conservation techniques. Combining technology and nature to protect valuable resources, facilitating water and energy saving measures and preventing nonpoint source pollution are all critical focus areas for agriculture professionals.
Holloway Technology’s CEO and co-founder of the Hybrid Irrigation System, Dick Holloway says, “As demands for fresh water continually increase, it is imperative that new technologies and techniques be developed to relieve the pressure on our own natural water resources. We felt it was time to bring together a contingency of farmers, nursery owners, environmentalists and educational institutions who share a common goal of finding better ways to conserve water.”
The education conference focused on environmentally-oriented water conservation methods currently being used or developed specifically for agriculture applications. Organizations that participated in the conference include: University of Florida/IFAS, St. John River Water Management District, The Nature Conservatory, Florida Irrigation Conservation Committee, Mobile Irrigation Lab, Ornamental Outlook, Byrd Automation, Lake, Soil and Water Conservation District, florikan E.S.A. corporation, and WRS Infrastructure and Environmental.
For more information about Holloway Technology, the Hybrid Irrigation System and local water conservation efforts, please visit www.holloway-tech.com.
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
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