The Irrigation Association, Fairfax, Virginia, joined two industry partners as an educational presenter at the 2024 Commodity Classic that took place Feb. 27-March 2 in Houston.
The association, in partnership with Reinke and CropX, presented a comprehensive session on soil moisture management for growers. Speakers Mike Mills, director of sustainability solutions, Reinke Manufacturing, and Nick Emanual, farmer and head of product at CropX, delved into the fundamentals of subsurface water, its storage in soil and its accessibility for plant use. They explored advanced irrigation scheduling techniques to prevent water over-application and drew on Emanual’s farming experience and use of technology for monitoring soil moisture. This session offered insights into selecting the optimal irrigation schedule and rate, leveraging technology for irrigation management and highlighted cost-share programs to support growers’ investment in this technology. The discussion underscored how a strategic approach to soil water management not only minimizes irrigation frequency and volume, leading to lower pumping costs but also boosts crop yields and income for growers.
Each July, the Irrigation Association celebrates the importance of efficient irrigation practices through Smart Irrigation Month. The event is a month-long initiative to raise public awareness through outreach and collaboration with professionals. Smart Irrigation Month promotes the social, economic and environmental benefits of efficient irrigation technologies, products and services in landscape, turf and agricultural irrigation, as well as the companies and professionals who champion them.
In 2024, the Smart Irrigation Month theme is “We are smart irrigation.”
While the irrigation industry is focused on providing solutions to critical challenges such as supporting global food security and protecting water used in communities, some of the greatest innovations and most impressive efforts come from industry professionals themselves. This year’s theme tells the story of the people who make up the irrigation industry and how they support efficient practices to have a positive impact on their communities.
There are a number of ways irrigation professionals can support and promote the objectives of Smart Irrigation Month. Find out more about how to get involved by visiting smartirrigationmonth.org.
The Irrigation Association hosted its annual fly-in event March 19-21 in Washington, D.C., marking a significant occasion for members from coast to coast. During the gathering, IA members engaged in meaningful discussions with lawmakers and industry stakeholders on key irrigation-related priorities. The agenda included critical topics, including the farm bill, the H-2B guest worker program, the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (S. 722 / H.R. 1477), and the Water Conservation Rebate Tax Parity Act.
“This year’s fly-in was a testament to the passion and dedication of our members who are committed to advancing the value of irrigation,” says Nathan Bowen, IA advocacy and public affairs vice president. “Engaging directly with policymakers provided a unique opportunity to highlight the importance of the irrigation industry’s role in agriculture, the health of our communities and environmental stewardship. By joining together with colleagues from around the country, professionals from across the industry made a lasting impact on the future of our industry.”
Get involved
For the most recent updates on the farm bill’s progress as well as other legislative issues, visit irrigationtoday.org. To see the IA’s full priorities for the bill and find other ways to get involved, visit the Irrigation Association website at irrigation.org.
It’s time to plan to attend the 2024 Irrigation Show and Education Week at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center in Long Beach, California, from Nov. 4-7.
The event will offer unique education opportunities, access to the latest in irrigation technology and networking with a community of peers. Attendees can check out one of the educational sessions or interact with new technology with the New Product Contest on the exhibit floor.
Event registration will open in June. For more information on the Irrigation Show and Education Week, visit irrigationshow.org.
Bushell reappointed to task forceJulie Bushell, vice president of Paige Water Solutions, and president-elect of the Irrigation Association, Fairfax, Virginia, has been reappointed as a representative member of the Federal Communications Commission’s Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States.
Her appointment, effective from the establishment date of the rechartered task force on Nov. 29, 2023, will last until the end of the task force on Jan. 1, 2025.
The task force is a federal advisory committee established in consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. It is tasked with advising and recommending measures to the commission on assessing and promoting the deployment of broadband internet access service on unserved agricultural land, aiming to promote precision agriculture.
In her role, Bushell will attend at least three one-day plenary task force meetings per year during the task force’s term and participate in specific working groups of the task force. Her status as a voting member is representative of the Irrigation Association and not as a “special government employee.”
Bushell’s involvement in the task force is part of a broader initiative to explore how connectivity can improve sustainability in agricultural production.
The Irrigation Association announced four newly elected members of the IA Board of Directors.
These directors started their terms at the conclusion of the 2023 Irrigation Show and Education Week and joined the 11 other members who are continuing their terms from previous years. The IA Board is made up of 15 elected leaders in the irrigation industry.
The IA welcomes these new leaders to the board and the association. Their contributions are essential to the IA’s work to elevate the impact and value of the industry and create an environment where irrigation businesses can thrive and grow.
“Our four new directors bring highly respected experience and expertise to the IA Board,” says IA CEO Natasha Rankin, MBA, CAE. “I look forward to the insights and contributions each of them brings to the IA Board as we carry out our mission to be the recognized authority in efficient irrigation. We appreciate the commitment these industry leaders provide to the IA and its members and their efforts to further the industry and association’s long-term sustainability and growth.”
The IA Board of Directors is tasked with establishing the association’s strategic direction, policies and programs. Directors are nominated and elected each year by members of the association and represent the diversity of member types and market segments.
To learn more about the IA Board of Directors and view the complete roster, visit www.irrigation.org/boardofdirectors.
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