Irrigation Association names 2025 award recipients

The Irrigation Association announced the recipients of its 2025 awards, celebrating contributions in education, innovation and industry achievement.

Industry Achievement Award: Chris Keating

Chris Keating, CID, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Industry Achievement Award, the IA’s highest honor recognizing an individual whose career demonstrates outstanding contributions to the advancement of the irrigation industry.

With more than 50 years in the irrigation industry, Keating is known as a technical expert, mentor and strong advocate for efficient water use. He began as a contractor and went on to shape the profession through his work with state associations, training programs and workforce development. At Toro Distribution and The Toro Company, he held various sales and management roles and supported professionals at every level. Keating has also held leadership roles with the IA and its foundation, as well as multiple state chapters. His deep knowledge, clear teaching style and generous mentorship continue to inspire the next generation of irrigation professionals.

Innovator Award: Russ Jundt

Russ Jundt, co-founder and vice president of Conserva Irrigation, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Innovator Award. The IA’s Innovator Award honors individuals who have made significant, tangible contributions to the irrigation industry through innovative work that advances the industry and improves the wise use of water resources.

Jundt co-founded Conserva Irrigation in 2010, launching the first irrigation company built entirely around water conservation. He led Conserva to develop the System Efficiency Score, a diagnostic tool that helps property owners reduce water waste and improve system performance. Under his leadership, Conserva has upgraded tens of thousands of systems nationwide, promoting smart irrigation technologies and sustainable practices. Through a franchise model and high-profile projects like those with Target Corporation, Jundt has shown that conservation and profitability can co-exist. He also works with industry groups, policymakers and communities to advance efficient irrigation and long-term environmental stewardship.

Excellence in Education Award: Derek Heeren

Derek Heeren, PhD, PE, professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, is the recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Education Award. This award recognizes an outstanding educator who has a commitment to not only elevating the level of education but also promoting the field of irrigation as a viable and sustainable career to students.

Heeren has played a key role in advancing irrigation education through program development, textbook authorship and student mentorship. At UNL, he helped launch new degree pathways and an online certificate in irrigation and water management. He served as general editor of Irrigation Systems Management, an open-access ASABE textbook, and created a global teaching kit for instructors. He has taught eight irrigation-focused courses and advised more than 40 undergraduate and graduate students. Active in the Irrigation Association and ASABE, Heeren now also serves as associate head for academic programs at UNL and education coordinator for the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute.

Vanguard Award: USDA pyfao56 project

The 2025 Vanguard Award has been awarded to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service pyfao56 Open-Source Evapotranspiration and Water Balance Tool. The IA’s Vanguard Award honors an innovative project in the irrigation industry.

pyfao56 is an open-source software tool developed by the Agricultural Research Service to improve how evapotranspiration (ET) and crop water use are calculated for irrigation management. Based on the FAO-56 guidelines, it uses a modular, object-oriented design to make ET modeling more transparent, customizable and accessible. Hosted on GitHub, it encourages collaboration and adaptation for research, education and practical decision-making.

Since its release, pyfao56 has been downloaded over 15,000 times and adopted worldwide in classrooms, Mesonet systems, commercial tools and research projects. Its global reach is advancing more efficient, data-driven irrigation practices across diverse sectors and regions.

All recipients will be honored at the 2025 Irrigation Show and Education Week in New Orleans, Dec. 8–11.

Register for the Irrigation Show and Education Week

Registration and housing for the 2025 Irrigation Show and Education Week, Dec. 8–11 in New Orleans, is open. Exhibitors and attendees can go online to register and book housing. Show registration gives you access to the exhibit floor, select industry education opportunities, and other social and networking events. Growers can attend free using code GROWER25.

The Irrigation Association has partnered with Connections Housing to offer discounted hotel rates for the 2025 Irrigation Show. Prime locations — including our headquarters hotel, the New Orleans Marriott, steps from the iconic French Quarter — will fill up fast. Go to irrigationshow.org for more information and to register and book housing.

Irrigation Association celebrates 2025 scholarship winners

The Irrigation Association named 12 recipients of the 2025 Anthony W. “Tony” LaFetra Scholarship Program, sponsored by Rain Bird. These annual awards are given to college students studying and pursuing careers in the irrigation field.

The scholarships, ranging from $1,500 to $3,000, were awarded to students who have shown a passion and interest in sustainability, stewardship and use of water, and the essential contributions irrigated landscapes and irrigated agriculture have in improving the quality of life through a reliable global food supply and vital green spaces.

The 2026 Anthony W. “Tony” LaFetra Scholarship Program will open in early spring 2026. Learn more about some of the scholarship winners at irrigation.org.