When you work in irrigation, “building” means a lot of things.
You might be building a system, a schedule, a relationship or a reputation. You might be building a business, a workforce or a stronger connection with your customers.
At the Irrigation Association, we’re building, too, to strengthen what connects us: people, purpose and progress.
Across the country, the IA has been working with policymakers to protect access to the technologies, tools and funding that make irrigation smarter and more efficient — and to support adoption of those advances. In states such as Colorado, California and Illinois, we continue to emphasize practical approaches that help professionals deliver water-saving results while keeping projects on track and customers engaged.
This work reflects the power of collaboration. The expertise and insights of irrigation professionals are shaping discussions on water use, product standards and workforce needs. When we share the realities of irrigation from the ground up, better policy decisions follow.
“When we share the realities of irrigation from the ground up, better policy decisions follow.”
— Natasha Rankin, MBA, CAE, Irrigation Association Chief Executive Officer
Every conversation I’ve had this year — with contractors, manufacturers, distributors, designers, educators and water providers — reinforces the same message: We move forward when we build together.
That’s why December’s Irrigation Show and Education Week in New Orleans was more than just a trade show. It was where the full spectrum of irrigation — urban and rural, ag and landscape — came together to share what’s working, see what’s next and build the relationships that move us forward.
From new education formats and peer-led programming to the practical innovations on the show floor, everything at the event was focused on helping professionals and businesses across the irrigation, water use and management, and green industries build capacity, credibility and opportunity.
Whether you joined us in New Orleans for the Irrigation Show or are engaging with the ideas shared in this issue of Irrigation & Lighting, I hope you’ll consider what you’re building — for your team, your customers, and the landscapes and livelihoods that depend on your work.
Because what we build together lasts.
