News And Views From The Irrigation Association
March 21, 2011 First Ag Water Managers Certified
The Irrigation Association (IA) congratulates its first certified agriculture water managers (CAWM). The initial test was given at the 2010 Irrigation Show in Phoenix. The CAWM recognizes experience and excellence among industry professionals who evaluate, operate, manage, and improve agricultural irrigation systems to achieve the highest possible level of water use efficiency. For more information on CAWM, visit www.irrigation.org/Certification/CAWM/CAWM.aspx.
July Is Smart Irrigation Month
Help the IA celebrate and increase awareness of July as Smart Irrigation Month! Smart Irrigation Month is a great platform to start or build on your company’s efforts to promote water efficiency, and many tools and suggestions are available through the Smart Irrigation Month website. The initiative is good for your business, good for the industry, and good for the environment.
When the month is over, be sure to submit your promotional efforts to our Smart Marketing Contest. The contest recognizes the best campaigns that helped promote Smart Irrigation Month. All contest participants will be recognized at the Irrigation Show and on the IA website, and winners will receive even more recognition in IA communications. For Smart Irrigation Month resources, samples from last year’s contest winners, and the 2011 contest entry form, visit www.smartirrigationmonth.org.
IA Launches New Legislative Action Center
The IA recently launched an improved member-only legislative action center, providing a user-friendly interface for professionals in the irrigation industry to communicate directly with their federal and state legislators on issues impacting the irrigation industry. Part of IA IMPACT, IA’s national grassroots program, the legislative action center will be a key component in the IA’s 2011 advocacy plan. For more information, visit
www.irrigation.org/policy.aspx.
IA Position Statements Now Online
Statements that clearly define the association’s political positions are a critical tool for IA members and staff as well as the local, state, and federal lawmakers they engage. These position statements set a clear direction for IA to successfully advocate for policies that support our mission by increasing the demand for efficient technologies, products, and services.
Designed to represent the collective voice of our stakeholders to a wide range of policy and decision makers, these statements have been vetted by our members and approved by the IA Board of Directors. View IA’s position statements and read more about their development process at
www.irrigation.org/Policy/Position_Statements.aspx.
Save The Dates
The IA Water Conference will be held July 21-22 at the Omni Interlocken Resort and Spa in Broomfield, CO. Confirmed speakers for the Water Conference include Dr. Peter Williams, chief technology officer, Big Green Innovations division, IBM; Liz Gardener, suburban conservation coordinator, Denver Water; and Scott Slater, shareholder, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP. Visit www.irrigation.org for more information.
The Irrigation Show 2011 returns to San Diego, CA, Nov. 6-8, traditionally the location that has drawn the show’s highest attendance. Exhibitors can view the prospectus at www.irrigationshow.org for more information.