Irrigation Industry Leaders to Receive Awards

Irrigation industry leaders receive awards

Hamisch receives IA Industry Achievement Award

Fred Hamisch, known and respected in the irrigation industry for his integrity and leadership, has been named recipient of the Irrigation Association Industry Achievement Award.

Hamisch will receive the award Dec. 10 at the International Irrigation Show in San Diego. Established in 1966, the Industry Achievement Award recognizes an individual from the irrigation industry who has contributed to the advancement of the industry.

As a founding member of the Irrigation Dealers Association of California, Hamisch was instrumental in putting the industry “on the map” in California. Hamisch drove the effort to expand the reach of that organization as it became the California Agricultural Irrigation Association.

Hamisch works behind the scenes to give back to the industry. He invests time and resources in projects like the Agricultural Technology Applications Center, known as AgTAC, in Tulare, Calif., and he has served on numerous Irrigation Association committees.

Hamisch helped bring micro irrigation to China in the early 1980s and has been involved in the design and installation of irrigation systems in the Middle East, Mexico, South America and Asia.

As president of Hydratec, Hamisch credits his "wonderful people" for the company’s success, said Ken Berg of Bowsmith Inc. "He’s got great people. It's a testament to his ability to recruit and retain and set a value standard that is clearly visible."

The company, which Hamisch bought in 1988, is known for customizing innovative solutions and helping producers grow more efficiently, Berg said. “Customers rely on them. They consider Hydratec an extension of their company.”

Drip irrigation inventor recognized
 
An irrigation industry pioneer credited with changing the drip irrigation market with the invention of an integrated dripper has been named recipient of the Irrigation Association Industry Achievement Award.

Gershon Eckstein of Drip Irrigation Systems Ltd. of San Diego will receive the award Dec. 10 at the International Irrigation Show in San Diego. Established in 1966, the Industry Achievement Award recognizes the achievements of an individual from the industry who has contributed to the advancement of irrigation.

Eckstein is credited with numerous irrigation patents, including a patent issued Sept. 21, 1976, for a method of manufacturing pipes with the integrated dripper units. His invention was to insert the drippers into the irrigation pipe during the manufacturing or extrusion process rather than cutting the pipe and inserting the dripper later. The invention eliminated the necessity of assembling units at the irrigation site.

“I have profound appreciation of Gershon’s inventive mind, engineering skills, determination and prolific contributions in service of the irrigation industry,” said irrigation consultant Marcel Khoury in supporting Eckstein’s nomination.

Eckstein’s son, Eran Eckstein, said his father’s invention was not well accepted when it was introduced, but it has become the production standard in the market.

Other 2007 award recipients include the California Agricultural Irrigation Association, which was named Partner of the Year, and Fred Hamisch, who is also being recognized with the Industry Achievement Award.