Staples, MN
IAM President, Jake Wildman, and IAM Vice President, Anna Bregier, participated in a farmer panel alongside Northarvest Bean Growers Association board member, Norm Krause, at the recent two-day Irrigation RCPP Technical Training Workshop held at the Central Lakes College Ag & Energy Center on July 23, 2024. The panel addressed an audience of over 40 Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS) and Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) employees from across Minnesota.
The discussion focused on the pressing issues facing Minnesota farmers who utilize irrigation. A major point of consensus among the panelists was the challenge of over-regulation, which they identified as the biggest problem confronting irrigators. They also emphasized the importance of collaboration between government workers and farmers, regardless of whether funding is available for individual projects.
The Irrigation RCPP Technical Training Workshop provided a comprehensive program that
included classroom presentations, hands-on learning, and in-field demonstrations. The primary goal of the workshop was to offer technical information on irrigation water management technology, certification of irrigation practices, and networking opportunities for NRCS and SWCD technical staff.
This workshop is part of the NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program project, “Implementing Innovative Irrigation Practices to Protect Groundwater Quality and Quantity.” The project aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of technical staff in managing irrigation practices effectively to safeguard groundwater resources.
For more information about this project, visit https://www.agcentric.org/rcpp-precision-irrigation/
IAM 