Christopher Garrett Henry

Christopher Garrett Henry is a Professor and Water Management Engineer at the University of Arkansas, specializing in irrigation system design, efficiency optimization, and agricultural water conservation. His work focuses on developing technologies and extension programs to reduce water use while maintaining crop yields.

• Ph.D., Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2009)
• M.S., Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Kansas State University (1998)
• B.S., Biological and Agricultural Engineering (Environmental Emphasis), Kansas State University (1996)

Henry's research addresses critical agricultural practices including surge irrigation, soil moisture monitoring, and computerized hole selection for lay-flat pipe. He leads projects funded by commodity boards to develop irrigation scheduling tools for corn, cotton, and soybeans, and pioneered alternate wetting and drying irrigation techniques for rice.

His recent publications emphasize irrigation efficiency, economic analysis of irrigation technologies, and extension programs for water conservation. Key trends include optimizing water use in rice production and improving motor efficiency in irrigation systems.

• 2018: Irrigation Researcher of the Year Award, National Conservation Systems
• 2018: Distinguished Rice Research Team Award, Rice Technical Working Group
• 2011: Engineer of the Year, Nebraska Section of ASABE
• 2005: ASAE Presidential Citation

Henry collaborates with farmer cooperators to compare innovative irrigation methods (e.g., surge irrigation, Evapotranspiration scheduling) to conventional practices, demonstrating 24% water use reduction across Arkansas. He also developed the mobile app Rice Irrigation for lay-flat pipe planning, available on major platforms.