Phil Burkart, vice president and general manager of The Toro Company’s irrigation division, was recently appointed to serve on the Irrigation Association’s board of directors. Burkart brings more than 20 years experience with The Toro Company and a commitment to conserving the world’s water resources.
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“Phil Burkart is a great addition to the Irrigation Association leadership team,” said Irrigation Association executive director Deborah Hamlin. “His leadership skills and background with water conservation will be a great asset as the IA board develops a strategic plan for the coming years.”
“It is an honor to have been appointed to the Irrigation Association Board of Directors,” Burkart said. “This is a great opportunity to help sustain a healthy irrigation industry for decades to come. It also allows us to work more cooperatively toward promoting more efficient water management practices—a critical initiative supported by Toro and the Irrigation Association.”
With a new Board of Directors, the association will continue to promote and support the irrigation industry’s interests in varied ways, including generating awareness about critical issues/public policies and educating irrigation professionals on new technologies and more effective water management trends.
As a leader who is a passionate advocate for proper water management, Burkart says he plans to get the IA more involved in influencing water practices.
“Water conservation has become a hot button issue throughout the country and the world, so it’s important for the organization to be active in educating the industry about efficient water use,” he said. “We need to take a servant leadership approach, where we serve the industry by providing customers with practical, reliable solutions.”
The IA’s water conservation policy strives to improve the efficiency of irrigation and calls for increased cooperation among all water users—agricultural and urban. Burkart anticipates that his presence on the board will allow Toro to become more involved in the association’s ongoing efforts.
In addition to being a gold member of the Irrigation Association, Toro is a benefactor of the Irrigation Association Education Foundation, an educational initiative specifically designed to help universities develop stronger curriculum for irrigation programs within the green industry. During the last three years, Toro has donated $150,000 to the foundation.
“In serving this industry, it’s important that we pave the way for future leaders in irrigation, which is why Toro supports the IA’s initiative to provide prospective irrigation professionals with the resources they need to prepare for a career in the green industry,” Burkart said. “As Toro becomes more actively involved within the IA, it will open up opportunities to influence the direction of the industry—ensuring that it continues to thrive and prosper.”
Burkart took office at the 2006 International Irrigation Show in San Antonio, Texas. Some of the board’s priorities include establishing the association as a resource for regulators, continuing to professionalize the industry and enhancing the value of the organization’s membership.
“I’m particularly excited about this because the current IA board is very active and progressive,” said Burkart. “Members like Doug York of Ewing Irrigation, John Roberts of Roberts Irrigation Products and Steven Smith of Steven Smith Landscape are just a few of the active leaders who will help elevate the irrigation industry even more through their involvement in the Irrigation Association board.”