As the world population continues to increase, water quality and quantity become vital issues at the forefront of today's global topics. This is certainly not an issue that will go away, nor will a single solution benefit all of mankind. Along with these crucial issues, agricultural irrigation is facing an increased public awareness leading to immense pressure and threats of stringent, but necessary regulations. This is due to the fact that agriculture is responsible for the largest consumption of available fresh water. Currently, most conventional irrigation methods often result in contamination of ground and surface water, as well as water waste. The contamination of our water supply from agricultural runoff from byproducts is a serious global problem.

These wasteful and hazardous agricultural practices are common throughout the world. It is this very subject that led the Founder and CEO of Holloway Technology, Rufus M. Holloway, MD, to develop the Hybrid Irrigation System (H.I.S.). Through his experience within the agricultural industry, Dr. Holloway integrated three concepts to create the

The first concept utilizes Sub-Surface Irrigation, which combines ancient irrigation with modern or alternative methods of watering crops. Secondly, the system employs Rain Harvesting, or the collection of rainfall over the entire acreage of the system. In some areas of the world, this method eliminates aquifer withdrawal. In other regions, the method significantly helps to reduce this problem. And lastly, by using recycled irrigation water, this prevents Non-Point Source Pollution which combined leads to benefits that are both economically and environmentally sound.

Holloway Technology began the development and production of the H.I.S. in 1998 in Central Florida. Dr. Holloway is the fifth generation of a farming family that had been producing citrus since 1929. He continued the family citrus farming tradition until 1983 when a severe freeze destroyed most of the groves in the region. A new direction was sought to continue quality growing methods in an expanding urban environment. He began the Holloway Tree Farm, a nursery that employs advanced and alternative nursery practices that consistently produce high-quality, container-grown ornamental horticulture.

"The idea came to me over a period of several months. I wanted to develop an alternative irrigation system that was different from the conventional irrigation methods that I'd grown up with, and with which we started the tree farm in the 1980's.", Holloway said. "The intent was to develop something that was less labor intensive and that would also save water."

The result led to the development of Holloway Technology, Inc., and a demonstration facility, with 15 acres in full production. The uniform watering technique used in the H.I.S. provides the grower with the confidence that all of the plants contained within the irrigation plain are receiving the exact amount of water with every irrigation cycle or efficient Water Distribution Uniformity. This large-scale, closed loop irrigation, sub-surface watering system is fully lined and contains the agricultural runoff making it the most environmentally sound method available.

Through the research and development of H.I.S., several other water-related concepts have been developed or expanded upon to serve the water conservation and environmental awareness movements. Through our commitment to Innovation, Conservation and Dedication, Holloway Technology continues to develop new water conservation technology from which the world can benefit.