ASSOCIATION NEWS


New professional training tool debuts


A collaboration between the National Ground Water Association and Oklahoma State University aims to address a projected shortfall of geoscience workers and improve access to groundwater.


NGWA University powered by OSU is a new online learning platform featuring Drilling Basics Online. The program consists of five eight-hour learning modules, covering workplace safety, geology and ground-water, hydrogeology and fluid mechanics, rig types and well design, and drill rig safety.


The modules are designed for industry professionals, entry- level workers and college students and can lead to certifications and university degrees. The tools are ideal to help train new employees and improve the safety and skills of drilling industry workers. For more information, go to ngwa.org/drillingbasics.


Explore irrigation careers


If you are curious what career pathways are avail- able in ag irrigation, visit irrigationcareers.org to learn about the sectors and positions available, as well as education needed and compensation.


CAIA holds annual meeting


The California Agricultural Irrigation Association dinner meeting was held at the Visalia Elk’s Lodge on Feb. 8 during the 2022 World Ag Expo in Tulare. It was well attended with more than 200 guests. The keynote presentation highlighted the importance of cybersecurity in the agricultural industry. Hosting the evening were the new CAIA Board members who welcomed the opportunity to greet CAIA members and guests alike. All those present enjoyed networking and catching up with one another on the latest happenings in the industry.


CAIA will once again hold its fall meeting at the SeaCrest Oceanfront Hotel in Pismo Beach, California. CAIA members, irrigation industry representatives and other interested parties are all encouraged to attend. When details are arranged, they will be available on the CAIA website at calagirrigation. com.


Convention updates on water policies


The Family Farm Alliance members and guests gathered in person for the first time in two years at the organization’s 2022 annual convention in Reno, Nevada, Feb. 24-25.


Interior Department Assistant Secretary Tanya Trujillo delivered the opening keynote address, focusing on the Western drought, department plans to implement the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Colorado River challenges, issues that were further expanded upon by all five Bureau of Reclamation regional directors.


USDA Under Secretary Robert Bonnie delivered the luncheon address virtually from his office in Washington, D.C., and outlined the Biden administration’s conservation and climate initiatives.


The 2022 conference was one of the best attended in recent memory. For more information, go to familyfarmalliance.org.


Enroll for Trust Pro- tocol by March 31


The National Cotton Council continues to promote enrollment in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, a sustainability initiative helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, soil loss, energy use and water use. Cotton producers are encouraged to enroll their 2021 crop in the Trust Protocol by the March 31, 2022, deadline to be eligible for any revenue sharing that may be available in 2022.


According to the inaugural Trust Protocol annual report at report.trustuscotton. org, some 950,000 cotton bales, representing 6% of U.S. cotton grown in 2020-21, were enrolled in the Trust Protocol. The goal is to bring on board three million bales of U.S. cotton for 2021-22 and enroll 50% of U.S.-grown cotton by 2025. More about this voluntary program, including how to enroll, is available at trustuscotton. org. Direct questions to the Grower Helpdesk at growers@ trustuscotton.org.


Podcast focuses on water issues


Voices of the Valley, the ag-tech podcast from the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology, released a series


of three podcasts focusing on water issues in agriculture. The first featured Domonic Rossini, team leader of agronomy in the West at Netafim, speaking on the “Interplay Between Water, Tech and Regulation.” The second podcast was “How to Become an Agtech Impact Rainmaker” with Ethy Levy, fund manager at Kinneret Impact Ventures, and the third was “Building Communities for Resuscitating Water Conservation” with groundwater expert Elisa Blanco.


Voices of the Valley is available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. For more information, go to wga.com.


34 Irrigation TODAY | Spring 2022 irrigationtoday.org


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