Photos courtesy of Threemile Canyon Farms.
In the heart of Eastern Oregon, Threemile Canyon Farms is proving that agriculture and energy efficiency can go hand in hand. Located near Boardman, the farm has long been a leader in the region, known for its commitment to reducing energy and resource use while supporting long-term agricultural productivity and operational efficiency.
“Our goal has always been to create a farm that not only produces but does so in a way that respects our people, community, and natural resources,” shared Greg Harris, general manager at Threemile Canyon Farms. “Energy efficiency is a big part of how we get there, because caring for our resources today ensures we can continue feeding our communities for generations to come.”
For nearly 20 years, Threemile Canyon Farms has partnered with Energy Trust of Oregon to implement projects that save energy, conserve resources (like water and labor) and reduce costs. These efforts have resulted in estimated annual savings of 39 million kWh of electricity and annual energy cost savings of more than $3.3 million.
Threemile Canyon Farms has tackled a variety of energy-saving projects from irrigation, refrigeration, lighting and more. Some key projects include:
- Irrigation Efficiency: Cement Mortar lining was added to nearly 30,000 feet of pipe, reducing friction and allowing pump stations to run at lower pressures. This upgrade alone saves an estimated 1 million kWh annually—enough to power 94 homes.
- Optimized Pumping Systems: The installation of a variable frequency drive in an irrigation booster system helps the motors run at adjustable speeds rather than at a constant maximum. This innovation saves an estimated 1 million kWh each year.
- Strategic Energy Management: Through their recent participation in Energy Trust’s Strategic Energy Management offering, Threemile Canyon Farms’ irrigation team implemented 22 low- or no-cost energy-saving opportunities just within their irrigation system, reducing their annual energy costs by over $170,000.
Beyond energy efficiency, Threemile Canyon Farms also minimizes its environmental impact through sustainable practices like crop rotation, precision irrigation and a closed-loop system that recycles waste to enrich the soil. The farm also operates a methane digester, which reduces emissions while generating renewable energy to power a third of its operations.
Threemile Canyon Farms is also planning additional energy-saving projects, including upgrades to irrigation systems, water storage, lighting and refrigeration, projects that could yield significant additional savings.
For nearly two decades, Energy Trust has supported these energy-saving projects with approximately $3.3 million in incentives, helping the farm achieve its sustainability goals while helping it save money and resources.
“Working with Energy Trust has been invaluable,” said Harris. “These projects not only make our operations more efficient but also reflect our commitment to responsible farming. We highly recommend other producers look into working with Energy Trust.”
Threemile Canyon Farms’ efforts reflect a broader push to make the agricultural industry more sustainable. Energy Trust supports this by partnering with producers statewide, offering resources and cash incentives to improve energy efficiency.
“Threemile Canyon Farms’ commitment to energy efficiency is a great example of how sustainability can be woven into every aspect of an operation,” said Nick Ridling, agriculture program engineer with Energy Trust. “It’s a model that can hopefully inspire others to take action.”
To learn more about Energy Trust’s offering for agriculture, visit www.energytrust.org/agriculture, email production@energytrust.org or call 1.866.202.0576.