Growing Smarter: How the Boise Co-op Local Partner Fund Helped Purple Sage Farms Thrive
○ 400+ Hours of Labor Saved
○ 1 Million Gallons of Water Saved
○ 5,500 Kilowatt Hours Saved
At the Boise Co-op, supporting local isn’t just a tagline; it’s a commitment. Through the Local Partner Fund, powered by customer Round Up donations, the Co-op invests directly in local vendors who are building a stronger, more sustainable food system. From improving farm infrastructure to expanding educational opportunities, these grants help ensure that healthy, organic, and responsibly produced foods remain on our shelves and in our community.
One recent recipient, Purple Sage Farms, is a powerful example of how this support translates into real, measurable impact.
A Smarter Approach to Irrigation
With the help of the Local Partner Fund, Purple Sage Farms upgraded its irrigation systems, an investment that’s transforming how they grow food.
Previously, irrigation required extensive manual labor. Staff spent hours each week moving hoses and managing uneven watering systems. Now, with automated overhead sprinklers in their greenhouses and upgraded outdoor irrigation using Sumi-Soakers, the farm has taken a major step forward in efficiency, sustainability, and crop quality.
Big Impact, Backed by Numbers
The results of this project speak for themselves:
400+ hours of labor saved each season
Automation has reduced irrigation labor by up to 80%, freeing up valuable time for other farm priorities.1 million gallons of water saved annually
By delivering water more precisely and reducing overwatering, Purple Sage Farms has cut water usage by roughly one-third.Lower energy use
Reduced water pumping translates into significant electricity savings—about 5,500 kilowatt hours per year.
Better for Crops, Soil, and the Environment
Beyond efficiency, the new system improves growing conditions in ways that matter for long-term sustainability:
Even targeted watering helps prevent nutrient leaching, especially important for the farm’s sandy-loam soil.
Improved crop quality and diversity thanks to more consistent irrigation.
Enhanced climate control inside greenhouses allows farmers to quickly adjust temperature and humidity. This provides both frost protection in colder months and cooling during heat waves.
The outdoor Sumi-Soaker system further boosts efficiency by distributing water evenly across fields, helping crops thrive while conserving resources.
Investing in Local, Growing for the Future
For Purple Sage Farms, this project isn’t just about saving time and water; it’s about building resilience. With improved systems in place, they can grow more crops, reduce waste, and continue supplying high-quality, local produce to the Boise community.
And it all starts with something simple: rounding up at the register.
Every small donation to the Boise Co-op Local Partner Fund helps power meaningful change, supporting farmers, strengthening local food systems, and ensuring a more sustainable future for all.