Smart Irrigation Month July is right


around the corner! Make plans now. Join the Smart Irrigation Month campaign.


E By


Elizabeth McCartney


Irrigation Association Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager


ach July, irrigation industry companies and professionals have the opportunity to come together and carry the message about the social, economic and environmental


benefits of efficient irrigation. 2018 will be no different. Join this industry effort to grow demand for efficient irrigation technologies, products and practices by participating in Smart Irrigation Month this July.


Smart Irrigation Month 2018 will officially kick off with Irrigation Technology Tuesday on July 10. This is a great day to use social media to amplify the industry’s voice by highlighting water-efficient technologies. The following ideas will help you plan now for how your company will get involved in promoting Smart Irrigation Month.


1. What you need to know!


• Kick it all off with Irrigation Technology Tuesday on July 10. Make a splash on social media!


• Use #SmartIrrigationMonth on your favorite social media platform to help promote the importance of


efficient irrigation.


• Go towww.smartirrigationmonth.org for more info


ormat on,, tip a d re a io ps an esour u ces. s 3.


Incorporate messaging into marketing – Companies can leverage Smart Irrigation Month to stand out and grow their businesses. If there is a new product or practice to highlight, industry companies and professionals can do this under


the banner of Smart Irrigation Month. Companies can incorporate the smart irrigation message into any marketing planned for July. Be sure to visit the website and download the Smart Irrigation Month logo to include on any marketing materials.


2.


Increase public awareness – Smart Irrigation Month also offers the entire irrigation industry the opportunity to collectively spread


the word about the incredible importance of using water efficiently, while promoting the value of irrigated agriculture. Efficient irrigation offers year-round benefits for agriculture, but as pressure grows to reduce water consumption, the story must be told about how efficient irrigation can help minimize the amount of water lost to runoff and evaporation. Smart Irrigation Month is the perfect time to increase public awareness about how smart technologies and practices allow growers to conserve water, as well as provide the potential for increased yields.


Engage with policymakers – The agricultural irrigation industry faces its own unique water challenges. The Irrigation Association will again leverage Smart Irrigation Month to make sure legislators also understand the benefits of


irrigated agriculture. With Congress currently working on the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill and a comprehensive infrastructure package (see related article on pg. 8-9), it is a critical time to discuss how efficient irrigation offers year-round benefits for agriculture. Engaging with policymakers is just another way to participate in Smart Irrigation Month. At the state and local levels, those in the irrigation industry continue to encourage governors and community leaders to officially proclaim July as Smart Irrigation Month.


The Irrigation Association provides resources and ideas about how to get involved on its website, www.smartirrigationmonth.org. Don’t let Smart Irrigation Month come and go without celebrating and promoting the many benefits that efficient irrigation has to offer.


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