Register Now for the 2017 Master Irrigator Program
The limited number of spots available for the second year of the Master Irrigator program are available now on a first come, first served basis for qualified applicants.
Only 25 candidates will be accepted for this unique, immersive learning opportunity. Act now to reserve a spot in the Master Irrigator Class of 2017! To register now go to www.northplainsgcd.org/masterirrigator.
The Master Irrigator is a 4-day interactive training program combining lecture, in-field activities and producer panel interaction to provide a fast track to adoption of the irrigation practices, tools and technologies that will help growers be more efficient stewards of the most precious of resources. In addition, thanks to the partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), qualifying Master Irrigator graduates will be eligible for a portion of a special Environmental Quality Improvement Program (EQIP) fund to implement conservation practices on their own farms.
Here are a few comments taken from a survey of members of the Master Irrigator Class of 2016:
“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.”
“Was well worth the time I spent here.”
“Steve’s (Amosson) spreadsheet will be very helpful.”
“We cannot stop doing better or we lose everything.”
“Meals were great.”
“Overall, the entire training provided good information, the producer panels showed how many different operations adopted individual practices/tools to make a successful operation.”
Other comments included suggestions, for a more convenient time of the year for the program. Consequently, the district scheduled the sessions for earlier in the spring of 2017 to better accommodate the activity of growers. The 2017 sessions are scheduled for successive Wednesday’s starting on March 22nd and ending April 12th. A preliminary agenda for Master Irrigator 2017 will include March 22 – Agronomics, March 29 – Irrigation Scheduling, April 5 – Irrigation Systems and April 12th – Irrigation Systems and Special Topics.
David Sloane, AquaSpy, demonstrates the finer points of installation of a soil moisture probe for
the 2016 Master Irrigator class.
Master Irrigator 2017 will feature the best technical experts in the industry including, Fred Vocasek, Servi-Tech; Steve Amosson, PhD., Texas A&M; Jeff Childs, Sales Engineer, Yaskawa America Inc; Charles Hillyer, PhD., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Research; David Sloan, AquaSpy; Leon New, Irrigation Engineer; John Gibson, CropQuest; Jourdan Bell, PhD.,Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Research and Steve Walthour, NPGCD General Manager, just to name a few. The experts will cover irrigation planning, SDI and remote sensing, soil fertility and probes, efficient center pivot technology, variable frequency drives and new technology and methods, and the technical support will continue with in-season consultation to make sure implementation is effective.
Of the 2016 graduates responding to the survey, 100% said they planned to implement the information they learned in the course.
Applications for the 2017 Master Irrigator program accompanied by a $100 registration fee will be accepted for up to 25 participants or until March 10, 2017. Priority will be given to residents of the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District. For more information and to apply for the program, go to www.northplainsgcd.org/masterirrigator or call 806-935-6401. You can also “like” the North Plains Groundwater page on Facebook or “follow” us on Twitter (@NorthPlainsGCD) to receive updates on district activities.
“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.”