Best of both worlds

One thing I have learned from being around the agricultural industry is that there is always more to learn. Whether it is new technology, genetic innovations, new practices and products for pest and disease control, updated equipment, etc., there is always something coming on the horizon.

Ag companies and researchers are continually searching for new ways to help farmers do their jobs better, easier, more economically and more sustainably. It can be difficult to keep up. For many in ag production, annual farm and trade shows have been the best way to get caught up on what’s new out there. 2020 made it difficult because those shows were canceled.

But, in a “find the silver lining in the cloud” sort of way, the industry adjusted and provided an incredible array of virtual opportunities to learn and keep up with what was going on. The empty space was filled with online webinars, conferences, field demos and virtual trade shows. For the first time, it was possible to take advantage of something offered in a region far from home or even an international event — without traveling.

As we inch closer to normalcy, I foresee us benefitting from the past year and getting the best of both worlds. Many organizations are planning a safe return to offering in-person events, while also reaching a larger audience with online programming. The Irrigation Association is a perfect example. While the IA is planning for the 2021 Irrigation Show and Education Week in San Diego in December, the success of its conferences and the Industry Insights weekly webinar series has opened the door to continue these types of educational opportunities. The goal going forward is to provide a hybrid format that meets the needs of the entire industry.

Many organizations are planning a safe return to offering in-person events, while also reaching a larger audience with online programming.

Watch for more opportunities out there in the days to come and take advantage of keeping up and maybe even learning about something you have always been curious about.

Irrigation Today Editor-in-Chief

If you have comments, suggestions or an idea for what you would like to see covered in a future issue, please feel free to contact me at anneblankenbiller@irrigation.org.