Key Takeaways
- Google is funding the deployment of Arable’s irrigation technology across 20,000 acres in North and South Carolina.
- The initiative targets improved irrigation efficiency in the Edisto-Santee, Catawba, and Pee Dee River Basins.
- The goal is to save over 500 million gallons of water annually for eight years.
- Farmers will receive training and tools to enhance profitability while reducing environmental impact.
- This project supports Google’s broader aim to replenish more water than it consumes by 2030.
Google and Arable Partner to Advance Water Replenishment in Agriculture
Google and Arable are extending their partnership in sustainable water management with a new project focused on enhancing irrigation efficiency on farms in North and South Carolina. This collaboration will deploy Arable’s in-field crop intelligence technology across 20,000 acres, targeting critical watersheds such as the Edisto-Santee Basin in South Carolina and the Catawba and Pee Dee Basins in North Carolina.
The project aligns with Google’s broader water stewardship objective to replenish more water than it consumes by 2030. It also supports agricultural resilience by helping farmers use real-time field data to make informed irrigation decisions.
Supporting Regional Agriculture and Water Conservation
The initiative is designed to generate environmental and economic benefits. With funding from Google, Arable’s platform will be implemented to help reduce groundwater withdrawals by more than 500 million gallons annually over an eight-year period.
“Smart water use isn’t just good stewardship – it’s essential for long-term agricultural success,” said Dalton Buchanan, Soil Scientist with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. His comments emphasize the regional importance of optimizing water usage amid increasing pressure on local water sources.
Google’s Suzie Shin, Sustainability Programs Manager, added, “With data center campuses in both North Carolina and South Carolina, we’re proud to build on our work with Arable to bring this solution to a region we have called home for nearly 20 years.”
Arable’s Technology Integration and Field Impact
Arable’s platform integrates crop, weather, soil, and irrigation data into a centralized system accessible via mobile and web interfaces. This allows growers to tailor water use to the precise needs of their crops, improving both efficiency and output.
Jim Ethington, CEO of Arable, noted, “By combining reliable, real-time data with intuitive decision tools, we’re helping farmers do more with less—less water, less energy, and less risk.”
Arable has been recognized for its contributions to climate-smart agriculture, including being named to TIME’s 2025 America’s Top GreenTech Companies and Fast Company’s 2025 list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies.
A Replicable Model for Water Stewardship
This expanded collaboration in the Carolinas builds on past success in regions like Nebraska, where similar partnerships have led to measurable reductions in groundwater usage. The current initiative includes embedded farmer training and operational support, ensuring practical benefits from day one.
By linking corporate sustainability goals with on-the-ground agricultural needs, the project establishes a potential model for future water stewardship initiatives. It highlights how technology, when supported by strong institutional partnerships, can drive scalable solutions to environmental and agricultural challenges.
4 Comments