ASSOCIATION NEWS


Alliance plans annual conference


The Family Farm Alliance’s 2020 Annual Conference is scheduled for Feb. 20-21 at the Eldorado Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada. The conference theme is 2020 Vision: The State of Western Irrigated Agriculture.


The 2020 conference will feature panel discussions and speakers that will provide insight and analysis on the priorities of the Trump admin- istration, Western American politics, environmental mar- kets, water management inno- vation, priorities in the 116th Congress and other hot topics in the Western water arena.


Updated CAIS exam launched at show


The IA Certification Board has updated the certified agricul- ture irrigation specialist exam content outline based on the results of a job task analysis finalized in June 2018. The IA periodically performs job task analyses to ensure that its certification exams effec- tively represent the job tasks performed.


The length of the CAIS exam was expanded from 75 to 100 questions to ensure the entire- ty of the new content outline was covered in the new form. The revised exam launched at the 2019 Irrigation Show and Education Week held Dec. 2-6 in Las Vegas.


For more information about becoming a certified agricul- ture irrigation specialist, visit the website page at www. irrigation.org/CAIS.


The Alliance, in partnership with the Irrigation Association, will also co-host a Feb. 21 summit on industrial hemp that will take place 1-3 p.m. Pacific time at the Eldorado. Panel discussions will feature representatives talking about hemp crops and genetics, the role of the states, federal policies, cultural challenges (new growers vs. traditional ag producers), irrigation, harvest- ing and processing technolo- gy, and the market outlook.


For more information, go to www.familyfarmalliance. org.


irrigationtoday.org


Apply for scholar- ships by Feb. 15


Students pursuing irrigation- related degrees are encour- aged to apply for the 2020 IA scholarship program. The deadline for the 2020 program is Feb. 15. The scholarship program awards students studying at two- and four-year institutions scholarships rang- ing from $1,000 to $2,500.


Visit www.irrigation.org/ scholarships to learn more about the scholarship program requirements and to apply.


IA attends irrigation events in China


The Irrigation Association was pleased to be invited to attend the China International Agri- cultural Machinery Exhibition 2019 and China International Irrigation Summit.


As China’s largest agricultural machinery exhibition, CIAME 2019 was held in Qingdao, China, Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 2019. The CIIS was held on Nov. 1 and was hosted by the irrigation branch of the China Agricul- tural Machinery Distribution Association.


IA member Charles Hillyer, PhD, director of the Center for Irrigation Technology, attend- ed the CIIS as a representative of the Irrigation Association. Hillyer spoke during the summit.


Ag Faculty Academy scheduled


Save the date! The IA’s seventh annual agriculture Faculty Academy will be held June 11-12, 2020, at the University of California, Davis. Educators teaching at high schools and two- and four-year institutions are encouraged to join us to learn about irrigation concepts and technologies.


The event is free to attend, and grant assistance is available to aid with travel expenses. Be on the lookout for additional information regarding the schedule, sessions and reg- istration at www.irrigation. org/facultyacademy.


IA celebrates a successful 2019


IA President Ed Santalone Jr.; IA CEO Deborah Hamlin, CAE, FASAE; and 2020 IA President Jon Topham, CAIS, CID, COO


The IA wrapped up 2019 with a celebration of the industry at the Irrigation Show and Education Week.


IA President Ed Santalone Jr. and IA CEO Deborah Hamlin, CAE, FASAE, recapped the association’s 2019 accomplish- ments during the general session at the show. Highlights include successfully joining forces with the Irrigation Foundation to create the new IA workforce development de- partment, advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill, a successful Smart Irrigation Month and certifica- tion program updates.


Santalone and Hamlin also introduced incoming 2020 IA President Jon Topham, CAIS, CID, COO from Irrigation De- sign and Construction LLC in Patterson, California.


For more information about the Irrigation Show, see p. 32-33 or go to www.irrigationshow. org.


Winter 2020 | Irrigation TODAY 35


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