Irrigation Association Certified Irrigation Designers Continue To Be Recognized As Technical Service Providers
IA Extends Agreement With USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service
FALLS CHURCH, VA. (June 22, 2011) — Professionals certified by the Irrigation Association in agricultural irrigation design will continue to qualify for eligibility as technical service providers under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. On June 15, IA and NRCS signed a memorandum of understanding extending the agreement for an additional five years. This new agreement with NRCS allows IA-certified irrigation designers to become TSPs through an abbreviated application process.
TSPs assist the nation’s growers by providing conservation assistance in the areas of irrigation water planning, management, and practices. NRCS will place lA-certified TSPs on the approved list to provide technical service to USDA conservation program participants, thereby expanding the list of qualified experts for farmers.
“This agreement continues to provide growers with access to irrigation experts,” said IA Executive Director Deborah Hamlin. “Certified irrigation designers that become TSPs bring cutting-edge knowledge of efficient irrigation into the field to ensure our country has the food, fiber, feed and fuel we need in the future.”
“We have a lot of work ahead of us, that we at the USDA cannot do alone,” said NRCS Chief Dave White. In addition to IA, several other organizations signed MOUs with NRCS for the TSP program. “With the help of the nine organizations here today, we will have a significant positive impact on the environment and the future of U.S. agricultural production.”
CIDs establish specifications and design drawings for irrigation projects. This includes evaluating a site’s water availability and crop requirements, selecting the most effective types of irrigation equipment and methods, developing efficient and cost-effective irrigation designs, and ensuring the installation matches the design intent.
To become a certified irrigation designer in sprinkler, surface or drip-micro for agricultural irrigation, candidates must demonstrate a minimum of three years of irrigation-related experience and education, pass a series of three written exams, maintain continuing education requirements and adhere to the IA Certification Board’s code of ethics.
For more information on the certification program and how CIDs can become TSPs, visit www.irrigation.org/cid.
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.