The Irrigation Association, Fairfax, Virginia, announced the recipients of its 2024 awards, celebrating contributions in education, innovation and industry achievement.
Industry Achievement Award: Carmelo Giuffrè
Carmelo Giuffrè of Irritec USA and Irritec SpA has been named the recipient of the 2024 Industry Achievement Award, the highest honor given by the Irrigation Association. Giuffrè founded Irritec SpA in Italy in 1974 and has grown it into a global leader in irrigation innovation and sustainability. Under his leadership, Irritec has expanded its intellectual property portfolio and promoted efficient irrigation techniques worldwide.
“A visionary in the field, Carmelo Giuffrè’s dedication to research and development has significantly improved irrigation efficiency and promoted water conservation worldwide,” says Rankin. “His work has driven essential advancements that benefit global agricultural practices and enhance food security.”
Excellence in Education Award: Dave Goorahoo
Dave Goorahoo, PhD, of California State University, Fresno, has been honored with the 2024 Excellence in Education Award. Goorahoo’s 24-year tenure at the university includes roles as a research soil scientist for the Center for Irrigation Technology and currently as a vegetable crops production professor in the department of plant science. He has developed numerous irrigation-related courses and training programs and has actively promoted irrigation careers to his students.
“Dave Goorahoo has shown an extraordinary commitment and dedication to the success of his students and the future workforce of the irrigation industry,” says IA CEO Natasha Rankin, MBA, CAE. “His passion for irrigation and education is contagious, and his commitment to fostering excellence in the next generation of irrigation professionals is truly inspiring.”
Vanguard Award: Goldcrest Farms Project
The 2024 Vanguard Award has been awarded to Valley Irrigation’s Goldcrest Farms project. The project transformed 25,000 acres of neglected dryland farmland in Arkansas into a state-of-the-art farming operation through advanced irrigation infrastructure and technologies. The project features precision-leveled farmland, optimized water usage and reduced operational costs.
“The Goldcrest Farms project stands as a prime example of how sustainable irrigation solutions can be realized through creativity and effective collaboration,” says Rankin. “By leveraging cutting-edge technology and fostering a strong partnership, the project highlights the profound impact that smart irrigation can have on revitalizing farmland and advancing sustainable agriculture.”
The 2024 IA Awards are sponsored by Hunter, FX Luminaire and Senninger, and all recipients will be honored at the 2024 Irrigation Show and Education Week in Long Beach, California, Nov. 4-7.
IA joins pushback against Section 828 of the National Defense Authorization Act
The Irrigation Association joined a coalition of associations representing thousands of federal contractors in opposing Section 828 of S. 4638, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.
The section mandates that Department of Defense procurement contracts be contingent on contractors providing continuous access to all repair materials and information.
In a joint letter addressed to the leaders of the U.S. Senate and House Armed Services Committees, the associations expressed their concerns about the sweeping requirements of Section 828. The letter argues that this provision would force contractors to disclose sensitive trade secrets and enforce strict pricing controls on repair materials, which could discourage companies from entering into contracts with the DOD and undermine the defense supply chain.
Nathan Bowen, vice president of advocacy and public affairs for the Irrigation Association, emphasizes the potential repercussions for the irrigation industry and its contractors.
“Section 828’s compulsory licensing mandate is an overreach that threatens the operational stability of countless businesses that support our national defense,” says Bowen. “This provision not only undermines existing agreements that ensure the availability of necessary materials but also places an undue burden on small and medium-sized businesses that are vital to maintaining our defense infrastructure.”
The letter highlights that defense contractors and original equipment manufacturers already provide an array of resources to the DOD, including parts, manuals and training. These existing agreements ensure that repair and maintenance needs are met without compromising sensitive proprietary information. The signatories argue that the DOD’s Regional Sustainment Framework calls for stronger industry partnerships, not the broad, compulsory mandates proposed in Section 828.
The letter points out that Section 828’s pricing mandates would disrupt the economics of the dealer distribution model, adversely affecting small and medium-sized businesses that rely on these margins for their livelihood. The policy could further exacerbate the decline in small business participation in the defense industrial base, which has already decreased by over 40% in the past decade.
The associations urged Congress to remove Section 828 from the NDAA, arguing that it poses a significant threat to the defense supply chain without delivering a corresponding benefit to national security. “At a time when the defense industrial base needs robust support and collaboration, policies like Section 828 risk driving away the very businesses that are crucial to our national defense,” Bowen adds.
Plan ahead for Election Day
The 2024 Irrigation Show will be held during the week of the U.S. elections, taking place Nov. 5, 2024. We encourage you to participate by requesting an absentee ballot in advance of the show (usvotefoundation.org). Check online to find specific deadlines and details for your state.
2024 Irrigation Association Board of Directors slate announced
The Irrigation Association has announced the slate of candidates for the 2024 Board of Directors election. Earlier this year, the IA accepted nominations for 2024-2027 positions on the Board. Directors are elected to three-year terms and work to establish the association’s strategic direction, policies and programs. Designated member contacts received an official ballot via email to cast their vote. The following three individuals are included on the 2024 slate.
Alan Ence
Alan Ence, QWEL, is the general manager of landscape and agriculture at Hydro-Rain, Salt Lake City, Utah. During his 30-year career, he has worked in multiple areas including product development, business development and management. He is named on multiple U.S. patents for products in the field of irrigation. Ence is a 1995 graduate of Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, and earned certification as a Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper in California in 2022. He has served one partial term on the IA Board of Directors.
“I love the irrigation community. In associating over the past 30 years with ‘rank and file’ landscape irrigation contractors; farmers; local, regional and national distribution channel associates; landscape architects; property managers; water managers; small business owners; municipalities; water districts; manufacturers and consumers, I have seen where there is much opportunity for the IA’s programs, education and influence to positively benefit patrons and connected communities. Being an effective advocate voice to and from one or two of these multiple channel categories in order to instigate awareness that benefits lifestyle and finite resource sustainability is motivating to me,” says Ence.
Brad Jakubowski
Brad Jakubowski, CIT, has over 35 years of industry experience working with landscape, grounds, sports field and golf irrigation systems, installation and service. He is also familiar with pivot and furrow irrigation systems and supported avionics electronics maintenance in the Air Force. With over 23 years of teaching experience, he currently teaches plant and turfgrass irrigation courses at Penn State University and has developed an online irrigation course for PSU World Campus. He was awarded the IA Excellence in Education Award in 2022.
“I would like to serve on the IA Board of Directors to help contribute to an already outstanding organization. I would like to provide my experience within the industry and with education to help further the IA mission of promoting best practices in water-resource usage and management,” says Jakubowski.
Frank Toves
Frank Toves, CAIS, CIC, CID, is president of AvidWater, Fresno, Califonia. His career started in the office of a small ag irrigation dealer, moved to the warehouse and then to working with construction crews as an installer. He became an automation technician and started working in outside sales, helping start several new locations. Before taking on his current position, he worked as a regional sales manager and director of sales and marketing. He currently serves on the IA Technical Working Group and Advocacy – Agriculture Advisory Group.
“The irrigation industry is critical in securing the long-term sustainability of our planet’s water and it has been the focal point of my professional journey throughout my career. I am committed to its advancement and evolution. Serving on the Irrigation Association Board allows me to leverage my extensive professional experience for the greater good of our industry. I see this opportunity not only as a chance to contribute meaningfully but also to ensure that our industry continues to progress and thrive. By actively engaging with the IA Board, I aim to advocate for innovative solutions, foster collaboration and drive initiatives that will benefit both industry stakeholders and the environment alike,” says Toves.
Designated members were encouraged to review the candidates and participate in the voting process to help shape the future of the Irrigation Association and its impact on the industry, according to the association. The new IA Board members will be officially announced in November.
Book your hotel for the Irrigation Show and Education Week by Oct. 10
Booking with Connections Housing, the official housing partner of the Irrigation Show, saves you time and guarantees the lowest rates on conveniently located hotels. Book your room by Oct. 10 to take advantage of the Irrigation Show attendee housing block. Visit irrigationshow.org for more information.
Irrigation Association celebrates 2024 scholarship winners
The Irrigation Association named 17 recipients of the 2024 Anthony W. “Tony” LaFetra Scholarship Program sponsored by Rain Bird, given to college students studying and pursuing careers in the irrigation field.
The scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000, were awarded to students who have shown a passion and interest in sustainability, stewardship and use of water, and the essential contributions irrigated landscapes and irrigated agriculture have in improving the quality of life through a reliable global food supply and vital green spaces.
Since the program’s start in 2016, 133 students have been awarded scholarships.
Learn more about some of the scholarship winners by visiting irrigationandlighting.org.
