EDITORIAL MESSAGE


Lemons to lemonade C


an we be honest for a minute? 2020 hasn’t been what we expected it to be back when we rang in the New Year on Jan. 1. Literally everyone’s life has been affected or disrupted in numerous ways. That’s just the facts.


Although it can be comforting to complain and wallow in disappointment, that positive, persevering voice in our human nature should pull us out of the pit and propel us forward to adjust, innovate and find the silver lining. Lately it has been refreshing to watch many organizations and companies take the positive road and break into action, turning their lemons into lemonade.


Many of the annual trade shows, conferences and events that our industry has come to enjoy and look forward to have been forced to cancel. The organizations sponsoring these in-person opportunities have gotten creative and innovative to provide alternative options for their members and customers.


Numerous virtual informative and educational opportunities are available covering all sectors of the ag industry. The beauty is that you don’t have to hassle with travel time and expenses to reap the benefits. These opportunities come straight to you — at home in your very own comfortable chair. In many ways, this year will allow more people more opportunities to learn and stay informed about what is happening in their industry.


““In m y w op


Inmanyways, this year will allow more people more opportunities to le learn and stay informed about what is happening in their industry.”


Watch in the coming months for a new Irrigation Today website providing the industry’s latest news and information.


For those interested in ag irrigation, the Irrigation Association has created Education Week+ offering myriad opportunities to learn and hear about the latest in the industry. From its Industry Insights weekly webinar series that extends through March 2021 to IA University courses to its first-ever Agricultural Irrigation Conference, no irrigation topic has been left unturned. There is something of interest for everyone.


Go to www.irrigationshow.org and check out all of the opportunities. I encourage you to take advantage of this unique year where everything comes to you and is available at your fingertips. It truly is a rare opportunity to learn more than ever. Enjoy the lemonade!


Anne Blankenbier


If you have comments, suggestions or an idea for what you would like to see covered in a future issue, please feel free to contact me at anneblankenbiller@irrigation.org.


The irrigation resource for today’s growers


Published by: Irrigation Association 8280 Willow Oaks Corporate Dr. Suite 400 Fairfax, VA 22031-4511 USA Tel 703.536.7080 Fax 703.536.7019 info@irrigationtoday.org www.irrigationtoday.org


Publisher Deborah M. Hamlin, CAE, FASAE


Associate Publisher Trisha Klaus


Editor-in-Chief Anne Blankenbiller anneblankenbiller@ irrigation.org


Creative Director Sean Burris


4 Irrigation TODAY | Fall 2020


Account Managers Tom Schoen Central U.S. & New Business tom.schoen@bock-assoc.com 952.905.3214


Stephanie Clark East, West & International stephanieclark@irrigation.org 703.472.5810


Janie Hakim East, West & International janiehakim@irrigation.org 703.536.7080


Editorial Committee Chair Bill S. Thornton Watertronics


Editorial Committee Jonathan Aguilar, PhD, PE Kansas State University


Julie Bushell Paige Electric – Ag


Charles Hillyer, PhD Center for Irrigation Technology, Fresno State University


Diann Ilkenhons Vice Chair Senninger Irrigation Inc.


Jacob Knipp Reinke Manufacturing Co. Inc.


Michael A. Noftle, CAIS, CID Ideal Design Solutions LLC


Karin Novotny Rivulis Irrigation


Contributors Jonathan Aguilar, PhD, PE Sargeant J. Green John Farner


Brandon Hunnicutt Ted Kowalski Ashwin Madgavkar George Oamek, PhD Frank Toves, CAIS, CID, CIC Megan Weidner


Irrigation Today Editor-in-Chief


irrigationtoday.org


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