Irrigation Association members gathered in Washington, D.C. for meetings with 30 ranking officials on Capitol Hill. The May 12-14 event drew 14 individuals from 10 member companies, the largest IA contingent ever.
Meetings with elected leaders and decision makers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency focused on four critical issue areas:
- Communicating the importance of efficient water management systems and hiring irrigation professionals to design, install and maintain them
- Promoting and supporting the Water Caucus’ national concern for water efficiency
- Building support for H.R. 135 (21st Century Water Commission) and its proposed nine-member panel to conduct and compile water-related research
- Thanking elected officials for including irrigation language in the Conservation Stewardship Program and asking for support of the Farm Bill
Other event highlights included the announcement of the continuation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service and IA. IA members also participated in a fundraiser for Representative John Salazar (D-Colo.) in support of his continued efforts on the Farm Bill.