Raising the Bar
The IA Recognizes Outstanding Achievements In Irrigation

Since 1952, when it first created the Person of the Year award, the Irrigation Association has annually recognized both individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to irrigation.

"It's a recognition of individuals, companies or groups whose research and innovations lead our industry to more efficient practices, or whose actions raise the bar on acceptable industry performance," said David Ramsey, outgoing IA President, and president and CEO, United Pipe and Supply.

"They (award winners) clearly demonstrate specific instances where the best of our technology is showcased in actual application as surely creating a benefit to society," wrote Bill Pogue, chairman, IA Awards and Honors Committee, in the association's annual report. "In that regard, they serve our interest in promoting proper irrigation as a responsible and beneficial use of water resources."

The following is a brief profile of each of this year's award winners:

Crawford Reid Memorial Award

Honoree: Ted Van der Gulik, Resource Management Branch, Ministry of Agriculture, Foods and Fishing, British Columbia, Canada

Each year an individual, from outside the United States who has contributed to the advancement of the irrigation industry in their area is selected by the Irrigation Association to receive the Crawford Reid Memorial Award. This year's recipient, Ted Van der Gulik, has been a clear leader in Canada's irrigation market. "He's been the driving force and inspiration to many people involved in the irrigation industry in Canada," said Karen Hounsome, Eljay Irrigation, Ltd., Saanichton, British Columbia.

In his role with British Columbia's Ministry of Agriculture, Foods and Fishing, Van der Gulik has authored six comprehensive manuals and numerous publications on irrigation systems operations and management. Perhaps his greatest achievement has been reaching out to Canada's various green industry associations, as well as his role in forming the Irrigation Association of British Columbia.

"Ted has worked with, or presented to, water, agricultural and landscape organizations all across Canada on the effective and efficient use of water through irrigation scheduling and application," Hounsome added.

Accepting the honor with characteristic humility, Van der Gulik said, "This award was not something that was expected. There are many people I am sure that are working in irrigation that could be the beneficiary of such an award. Maybe in my case the award is not won by myself, but rather the many people that I have been able to associate myself with in the irrigation industry in British Columbia and elsewhere.

"I'd like to thank the IA for this honor. I'm not so sure it is well deserved, but it certainly will be cherished," he added.

National Water And Energy Conservation Award

Honoree: Gene Reagan, Texas, Natural Resources Conservation Commission

After 30 years in the landscape irrigation industry, most of which he spent operating his own company, Greenlawn Sprinkler Systems, Austin, Texas, Gene Reagan joined the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) with the goal of ensuring professionalism in landscape irrigation across the state.

TNRCC, which is Texas'environmental protection agency, licenses and regulates more than 4,000 landscape irrigators in the state. TNRCC's licensing program, which Reagan developed, has become simulated in other states. Contractors are required to pass a comprehensive examination in order to obtain a license, and eight hours of continuing education are required every year to maintain the license.

Through his work with TNRCC, Reagan has also been a champion of water conservancy through ensuring efficiency

Through its annual awards program, the Irrigation Association recognized several individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions to the industry.

in landscape irrigation, Reagan's efforts also resulted in the formation of an annual conference, Water Conservation in Landscape Irrigation. Held in conjunction with the Texas Nursery and Landscape Expo, the conference focuses on what can be done by all related parties to maximize the efficient use of water throughout the state.

"Since Gene has assumed his position at TNRCC, he has been most instrumental in promoting water conservation and irrigation in Texas. He has given many presentations in various associations throughout Texas stressing the importance of waterefficient irrigation systems and he continues to take every opportunity to encourage water conserving practices," said Craig Berlin, Hunter Industries.

"Through Gene's leadership, he has brought about a statewide awareness of the importance of water conservation in landscape irrigation," Berlin added.

In accepting the award, Reagan said, "The last few years Texas has made some Texas-sized strides tackling the problem of meeting our future water needs. We still have a long way to go though. Solving water problems of the future is going to require commitment from each of us. Each contractor must be committed to designing and installing the most efficient irrigation system possible. Each manufacturer of irrigation equipment must be committed to producing the most water efficient equipment possible. Each association must be committed to promoting professionalism in its membership. Finally, the regulatory authorities must be committed to enforcing the laws, rules and ordinances that are designed to protect and conserve our water," Reagan added.

Partner of the Year

Honoree: Carolinas Irrigation Association

Designed to honor persons or groups allied with the irrigation industry that have effectively advanced the goals and objectives of the IA, the Partner of the Year award was first developed in 1995. During that same time, this year's winner, the Carolinas Irrigation Association, was busy forming and developing its mission.Starting with 20 members in the mid 1990s, the association has grown to nearly 130 members. Perhaps more importantly, the association was able to pull together North and South Carolina's highly fragmented irrigation market, creating a vehicle in which contrartors from both states are able to work cooperatively.

The association has particularly focused on improving networking and educational opportunities, as well as increasing membership recruitment. CIA has also developed an association newsletter, partnered with several other green industry organizations in the Carolinas, and recently it developed a water conservation brochure to be distributed by irrigation contractors to their clients. CIA's voluntary commitment to the IA's Certified Irrigation Contractor program is a true partnering exercise.

Industry Achievement Award

Honoree: Thomas W. Crockett, Thomas Crockett Irrigation

An irrigation pioneer who developed several agricultural irrigation innovations in his 56 years in the industry, Thomas Crockett was truly an industry achiever. From 1946 until the present, Crockett's company, Thomas Crockett Irrigation, has served irrigation contractors from its modest office in Williamson, N.C.

"The maximum number of employees it has ever had is five, but it's sold irrigation systems to all parts of the U.S., and they have been a leader in the wastewater irrigation industry," said Ron Sneed, Ph.D., a veteran irrigation professional from North Carolina, and a member of the IA's Certification Board. Crockett, who died on Sept. 8, was remembered fondly by many who knew and worked with him in the irrigation industry.

Sneed, who accepted the award on behalf of Crockett, said, "He was unique in that he wanted the best for his customers. He was a gentleman in the industry. He always said that he never expected to get wealthy, but always wanted the industry to be the best."

Person of the Year

Honoree: Larry Curtis, Biosystems Engineering Department, Auburn University

A prolific writer, educator and innovator, Larry Curtis has contributed a lifetime of service to the irrigation industry. Starting in 1970, after a two-year tour in Vietnam for which he earned a Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement, Curtis began his career as an assistant professor of agricultural engineering, University of Florida. After several years in Florida, and at the University of Georgia, Curtis returned to his alma mater, Auburn University, in 1976.

Today, Curtis serves as a professor and extension agricultural engineer in the Biosystems Engineering department at Auburn.

In this role, Curtis has worked closely with farmers and the irrigation industry in developing educational programs related to irrigation, soil conservation and water resources development. Curtis also performs research in water resource development for agriculture, municipalities and industry, and water management for agricultural production.

Throughout his career, Curtis has been involved in developing countless irrigation innovations and educational programs. Author of nearly 60 irrigation-related articles, bulletins and fact sheets, Curtis also served as author and managing editor of Micro-Irrigation Handbook.

Further, Curtis organized and served as the leader for development of the Irrigation Association of Alabama. Curtis also served as chairman of the national Irrigation Association's Certification Board in the first stages of its development and was 'a member of that board for seven years.

"I am humbled, this award does mean a great deal to me. I am very appreciative and honored to be recognized by the Irrigation Association," Curtis said.

The IA honors individuals each year during the Annual International Irrigation Show. To nominate an award candidate, contact the IA at 703/ 536-7080, or Bill Pogue, chairman, Awards and Honors Committee at 909/ 689-1701, or by e-mail to irrometer@aol.com.

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