With nearly two decades of experience in the irrigation industry, Ian Yarian, CLIA, plays a key role in helping Ewing Outdoor Supply remain competitive and profitable. As the company’s national irrigation category manager, he oversees irrigation vendor programs, discounts, rebates and purchasing strategies, working to secure the best opportunities for both Ewing and its customers. By analyzing sales data, market trends and inventory needs, Yarian helps ensure the company stocks the right products at the right price while supporting field teams with recommendations tailored to local market demand.
What first pulled you into irrigation—and what’s kept you in it?
Funny story. It was the recession of 2008. First available job after my prior company was sold and everyone was let go. I stayed in because I found the industry fascinating, especially smart technology. Now that I am in category management with a distributor, it’s the best job I have ever had.
How do you work to be a champion of promoting smart irrigation?
Smart irrigation is what made me love this industry. I push it in writing, promotions and teaching. I am always encouraging the field to embrace it and show our customers how it can save water and money. Product awareness and negotiating good programs help make it cost effective. I’ve written a few articles over the years.
With drought affecting many areas of the country this summer, what role can smart irrigation play in helping communities reach their water saving goals?
Drought brings opportunity but can lead to water restrictions. Smart controllers were designed to manage watering schedules in droughts. Some areas of the country exempt homes with smart controllers from water restrictions. In any case, smart irrigation is the best, most efficient way to handle water issues.
If you could snap your fingers and fix one barrier to smarter irrigation adoption, what would it be?
Right now the biggest barrier is knowledge. As controllers get easier, this helps, but too many people don’t understand controllers or the benefits of pressure regulation or even micro irrigation (drip).
