IA signs MOU with NRCS, expands irrigation conservation projects

During the annual Irrigation Association Advocacy Summit, March 10-12, 2026, the IA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, expanding opportunities for qualified irrigation professionals and strengthening delivery capacity for agricultural conservation projects.  

“By establishing this MOU, we’re delivering value to professionals who hold our agriculture irrigation certifications, and this lets them get paid for work that NRCS would otherwise have to do,” said Andrew Morris, IA director of policy and technical affairs. “This can help reduce bottlenecks, speed up projects and open up business opportunities.” 

Many NRCS offices are managing growing workloads while contending with staffing challenges, including retirements and difficulties filling technical positions. Engineering teams often face heavy caseloads, which can slow project reviews and delay implementation for producers who are ready to move forward. 

Discussions about an MOU began in 2024 at a fall meeting of the California Agricultural Irrigation Association, as conversations arose about how to increase the number of IA members who become Technical Service Providers (TSPs). Conversations throughout 2025 addressed questions related to training, third-party certification and the certification process. The program will begin as a pilot in four states — California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah — in early spring or summer 2026. 

“The signing of this MOU marks a significant advancement in the collaboration between the Irrigation Association and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS),” said Charlotte Brewster, the National Technical Service Provider Program Manager of Conservation Planning and Technical Assistance Division at NRCS.  

What’s in the MOU 

Through the MOU, Certified Irrigation Designers – Agriculture (CID-Agriculture) and Certified Agricultural Irrigation Specialists (CAIS) can participate in the NRCS Technical Service Provider program for relevant irrigation-related services.  

“Members of the Irrigation Association who hold either the Certified Irrigation Designer for Agriculture or Certified Agricultural Irrigation Specialist credentials gain access to a streamlined pathway to become NRCS Certified Technical Service Providers,” Brewster explained. 

Qualified irrigation professionals who become TSPs can support planning, design, implementation, documentation and verification work tied to NRCS-funded conservation projects. 

TSPs can:  

• complete final designs of a conservation practice after practice selection and after contract obligation. 

• provide technical oversight during project implementation. 

• confirm conservation practices were installed to NRCS standards and specifications. 

• provide NRCS with final installed amount.  

“This is a longterm investment for us and NRCS and for anyone holding or pursuing our certifications,” Morris said. “There will be some nearterm impact, but the real opportunity is the potential for strong, yearoveryear growth in this area.” 

The MOU includes the following irrigation conservation practices: 

• irrigation water management design 

• irrigation field ditch 

• irrigation ditch lining 

• irrigation pipeline 

• irrigation system, micro-irrigation 

• sprinkler system 

• irrigation system, surface and subsurface 

• irrigation water management 

• irrigation land leveling 

• pumping plant 

• structure for water control 

“Through streamlined certification, collaborative innovation and a shared commitment to service, NRCS and the Irrigation Association are poised to deliver lasting benefits to the agricultural community and to getting conservation on the ground,” Brewster said.