Irrigation Association Presents 2010 Awards

FALLS CHURCH, VA. (Dec. 10, 2010) — The Irrigation Association presented its annual awards at the 2010 Irrigation Show’s General Session on Dec. 6 in Phoenix.

Industry Achievement Award

IA named two recipients of its Industry Achievement Award, designed to recognize someone whose career demonstrates outstanding contributions to the advancement of the irrigation industry and its products.

Industry Achievement Award (Agriculture):

Wendell Dorsett, retired from Valmont Industries (Valley, Neb.)

Dorsett spent 52 years as an irrigation industry innovator and educator. He holds five patents. In 35 years at Valmont, he focused on irrigation efficiency, effectiveness and uniformity. An active IA volunteer, he served on the Certification Board, Wastewater Resources Committee, and Chemigation and Center Pivot Common Interest Groups. He also helped develop IA’s Center Pivot Design Manual and taught IA’s Center Pivot Design class.

Industry Achievement Award (Turf/Landscape):

Richard Hunter, Hunter Industries (San Marcos, Calif.)

In 1981, Dick Hunter joined with his father, brother and sister to build Hunter Industries from the ground up. As president and CEO of Hunter Industries since 1994, Hunter has increased the organization’s annual revenue to more than $200 million, with sales in over 80 countries. Focusing on product development and strategic acquisitions, Hunter has expanded the company’s portfolio, which now features 250 patents and 40 trademarks. Hunter is also a past president of the Irrigation Association and a recipient of the American Society of Irrigation Consultants’ Roy Williams Memorial Award.

The National Water and Energy Conservation Award honors significant achievement in the conservation of water and energy relating to irrigation procedures, equipment, methods and techniques.

Otay Water District, based in Spring Valley, Calif., has successfully implemented numerous innovative audit, rebate and education programs. Under the direction of Water Conservation Manager William Granger, the district serves more than 191,000 people in southeastern San Diego County. A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense Partner since 2007, Otay has conducted more than 1,400 residential surveys, installed almost 3,200 nozzles in single-family homes, and hosted six customer workshops since 2008. Otay also has completed over 190 large landscape audits and implemented an irrigation upgrade program with almost 30 sites.

Person of the Year, IA’s longest-awarded honor, recognizes a person outside of the commercial irrigation industry who has made outstanding contributions toward the acceptance of sound irrigation practices.

John Busch of Baker City, Ore., now retired, was recognized for 30 years as a professor and researcher and more recent work at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. At NRCS, he worked with growers throughout Oregon to design irrigation systems, develop water management plans, provide training on best practices, and create irrigation planning and design tools. As a licensed, professional engineer, Busch helped develop standards for sprinkler and surface irrigation through the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. Throughout his three decades at the University of Idaho, Busch researched improving irrigation management, and water and energy efficiency.

Nominations for 2011 awards are now open. IA membership is not mandatory to nominate a candidate or to be nominated. Recipients are named based on the strength of the candidate and are selected by the IA Awards and Honors Committee.

To submit a nomination, visit www.irrigation.org/awards.

About The Irrigation Association

The Irrigation Association is the leading membership organization for irrigation companies and professionals. Together with our members, we are committed to promoting efficient irrigation and to long-term sustainability of water resources for future generations. IA works to improve industry proficiency, advocate sound water management, and grow demand for water-efficient products and services. For more information, visit www.irrigation.org.