About the IA

Introduction

The Irrigation Association® is the leading membership organization for irrigation equipment and system manufacturers, dealers, distributors, designers, consultants, contractors and end users. Originally founded in 1949, IA includes over 2,000 corporate and individual members and is dedicated to promoting efficient irrigation.

IA serves its members and the irrigation industry by:

• Educating the public on sound practices and water management.
• Serving as a centralized clearing house for research and innovation.
• Improving industry proficiency through continuing education.
• Recognizing and promoting experience and excellence with professional certification.
• Lending expertise to water-use public policy at the local, state, regional and national level.

Together with experts and stakeholders from industry, academia and the public sector, IA works to:

• Define best practices for effective water management.
• Establish benchmarks and guidelines for irrigation products and applications.
• Promote efficient irrigation technology and practices.
• Define sound policies to ensure the availability, quality and conservation of water supplies.

Mission

The Irrigation Association® mission: promote efficient irrigation.

Vision

Be the recognized authority on irrigation.

Unifying Statement

Ensure water is available for irrigation for future generations.

Stewardship Statement

Irrigation is required to fulfill the world’s growing need for food, feed, fiber, fuel and the quality of life benefits provided by a healthy landscape. The Irrigation Association’s mission is to promote efficient irrigation to ensure long term sustainability of water resources. As stewards of a critical resource we believe that efficient irrigation meets these needs while recognizing environmental and conservation concerns.

Stewardship Policy Goals

Value
Support water resource planning that recognizes efficient irrigation is a beneficial process that provides food, feed, fiber, fuel and the overall quality of life benefits provided by a healthy landscape.

Reward Efficiency
Advocate for proactive water resource planning that establishes metrics to give preference to efficient irrigation water use at all times.

Sustainability
Recognize that efficient irrigation technologies and practices create and further opportunities to support population and economic growth in a sustainable fashion.

Infrastructure
Support development of new and enhanced water resources, conveyance and storage facilities that result in more reliable water supplies for urban and agricultural use, while affording proper consideration for legitimate environmental concerns including the ongoing need to curtail water waste.

Reuse
Support water reclamation and re-use initiatives, particularly for irrigation, including the use of reclaimed water from municipal, industrial, agricultural, and other viable sources.

Education
Support education and outreach to stakeholders directed at illustrating the benefits of efficient irrigation and improvements to irrigation water use efficiency.

Information
Support methods and practices that facilitate analysis of irrigation efficiency and effectiveness of irrigation system enhancements and practices directed at improvements in irrigation water use efficiency.