Getting Started with IoT

Free Lunch and Learn from Merit-iot.

Getting Started with IoT on the Farm.

New to the Internet of Things (IoT)? You’re not alone. More and more growers are starting to explore how connected sensors and simple data tools can help them make better, faster decisions — without needing a tech background or a big budget.

What Is IoT?

Think of IoT as a way to let your equipment talk to you — even when you’re not there. Tiny sensors placed around your farm can collect data like temperature, soil moisture, light levels, or equipment status, then send that information to your phone, laptop, or dashboard in real time.

Example: Instead of wondering if a field needs watering, a soil moisture sensor can tell you exactly when and where attention is needed.

3 Real-World Farm Use Cases

Greenhouse growers use IoT to automate heating and ventilation based on temperature and humidity readings.
Berry farms monitor soil moisture and adjust irrigation in real time, reducing waste and improving fruit quality.
Livestock operations track feed levels and water tank status remotely to reduce labor and avoid surprises.

What Kinds of Sensors Are Involved?

You don’t need a lab — just a few well-placed sensors like:

Soil moisture sensors for irrigation timing
Temperature probes for greenhouses or hay barns
Light sensors for managing crop exposure
Switch or contact sensors for gates, bins, or fluid levels

Most sensors communicate over Wi-Fi, LoRa, or cellular networks — depending on your setup and distance needs.

What Does It Cost?

Costs vary depending on what you want to monitor and how large your farm is. A starter setup with 2–3 sensors and a gateway can cost less than a smartphone — and often pays for itself in saved water, fuel, or labor within one season.

Note: Merit-IoT offers impartial reviews of common sensors, and we work with vendors to provide test units to small growers. If you’re curious, get in touch here.

How Do You Get Set Up?

Start small — one use case, one sensor.
Use your existing Wi-Fi if possible, or explore LoRa for field sensors.
Keep a logbook or spreadsheet to track your results — even a few data points can help inform your next step.

Most importantly, don’t worry about getting everything perfect. IoT works best when it grows with you.