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Master Irrigator 

We loved our 2023 class! Thanks so much for everyone who participated. Want to join our class of 2024? Email Baylee Barnes at bbarnes@northplainsgcd.org OR call our office for more details: (806) 935-6401

The Master Irrigator Program is an irrigation management curriculum made up of 32 hours of intensive irrigation education conducted over four one-day sessions to show producers how to maximize advanced conservation irrigation management and conservation practices that work together to save water, conserve energy, build soil health and enhance farm profitability.

*Perfect attendance is required for EQIP funding and graduation of the course. Each day begins at 9am and adjourns at 4:30pm. We strongly encourage participants to show up around 8:30am to sign in and gather materials. Breakfast and lunch will be provided every day of the program.

Click here to view the registration form.
Fill in and mail to:
North Plains GCD/Master Irrigator
PO Box 795
Dumas, TX 79029
OR
Email Baylee Barnes at bbarnes@northplainsgcd.org.

2022 Master Irrigator Annual Report

 Master Irrigator News – Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has honored the Master Irrigator program with a Texas Environmental Excellence Award for 2018. View the award video above!

Through a partnership agreement between the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District (NPGCD) and the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an estimated $1.6 million in funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) has been provided to support the new Master Irrigator Program for four years. Participants who complete the course and receive their Master Irrigator Certification will have priority access to the NPGCD EQIP funding.

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“We cannot stop doing better or we lose everything.” – 2016 Master Irrigator Graduate

“Great class on irrigation practices with leading edge technology presented by top people in their field.” Tommy Cartrite, 2017 Master Irrigator Graduate

“My primary role in our operation is risk management. In every session I was able to identify key practices that will benefit our return on investment.” 2017 Master Irrigator Graduate

Master Irrigator graduates recommend the course because:

“I gained knowledge of new products that are available and coming out in the future to make irrigation more efficient and sustainable.”

“I was able to see challenges faced from many different producers in the water district.”

“Implementing better irrigation practices. We have heard of many of these practices just never implemented.”

“This was a great program that has been a great benefit from a knowledge standpoint and information sharing among producers.”

“Producer panels were outstanding. It was beneficial just to listen to producers in the audience discuss the things they were doing on their individual operations.”

“NPGCD does a great job in conserving our water. I’ve heard several people say they wish their water districts were as active as this one.”

“Overall, the entire training provided good information, the producer panels showed how many different operations adopted individual practices/tools to make a successful operation.”

Also, of the 2016-2018 graduates who took the survey, 100% said they plan to implement the information they learned in the course.

Graduates said they appreciated learning about:

  • Moisture monitoring
  • Drones
  • No-till discussion
  • Producer panels
  • Newest technologies & ideas available
  • VFDs
  • Agronomics
  • VRI
  • System application & efficiency
  • Crop profitability analyzer

Master Irrigator Class 2016_drones talk

Interested in seeing more pictures from Master Irrigator? They’re on our Facebook page @NPGCD, or click here for the direct link to the photo album.

Thanks to our 2020 Master Irrigator sponsors!

Questions?

Our staff members here at the District would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. For more information, please call our office at 806-935-6401.

Master Irrigator Class 2016_irrigation talk