By: Taylor Herbert, Extension Educator, Crops - Wright, McLeod, & Meeker Counties; Dr. Vasudha Sharma, Extension Specialist-Irrigation; Brenda Postels, Extension Educator
Over the past few years, efficient agricultural irrigation has become a hot topic in Minnesota. With its sandy soils and limited precipitation, irrigation is a key component of production agriculture in the central region. Combined with these conditions and the limited and varying rainfall we have been experiencing, matching irrigation with crop water use has become more important. An understanding of the plant-water-soil relationship, proper irrigation system maintenance, and use of irrigation scheduling are just some of the tools irrigators use for cost-effective crop production. If you want to improve your irrigation use efficiency, the University of Minnesota Extension is offering the Minnesota Irrigator Program (MIP) to provide you with the information you need to make irrigation decisions in 2024.
Minnesota Irrigator Program (MIP)
Wednesdays: March 6th, 13th, and 20th from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm in Staples, Minn.
Programming will include a discussion of the basics of irrigation, irrigation systems, how to use soil moisture sensors on your farm, irrigation scheduling, and special topics like variable rate irrigation and remote sensing.
Cost: The cost of this 3-day program is $75. Breakfast and lunch are provided.
Register here: z.umn.edu/IrrigatorProgram
Participation is capped at 25 individuals (20 growers and 5 agency staff), so be sure to register today!
In-person event location: Central Lakes College in Staples, MN (1830 Airport Rd)
MAWQCP Certification
In addition to learning about the most effective irrigation management, MIP attendance is one of the requirements to attain the Irrigation Endorsement of the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). Certified farms will receive the endorsement with proof of MIP attendance and the adoption of a new irrigation practice or scheduling method on-farm. Tuition reimbursement is also available for MAWQCP farms. Continuing education credits (CEUs) for Certified Crop Advisers will also be offered for this program.
If you can’t make it this year, don’t worry! We will be offering this program at rotating locations throughout the state in the coming years.
Learn more about this event: z.umn.edu/IrrigatorProgram
Thank you to our sponsors and partners: Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Area II Potato Research and Promotion Council, Reinke Irrigation, Earthscout, R.D. Offutt Farms, Central Lakes College (Staples)
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