Dec 27, 2013

March workshops will study irrigation

To assist current and future irrigators, Michigan State University Extension is planning several daylong irrigation workshops across the state in 2014. Three workshops of specific interest to fruit and vegetable growers (but all irrigators and potential irrigators are encouraged to attend) will occur March 17, 18 and 19. Each program will basically be the same, with a general morning session followed by afternoon breakout sessions on drip and overhead systems.

Morning presentations will provide information on topics all irrigators need to know about, such as the rights, responsibilities and requirements of large-volume water users, the importance of soil and water relationships and best management practices for irrigators. There will also be an emphasis on the hows and whys of irrigation scheduling and the various tools available to growers to help them make irrigation decisions. In the afternoon, producers will choose between overhead and drip sessions. Both sessions will emphasize design, use and maintenance of the respective systems, and irrigators of all crops are encouraged to attend.

The emphasis of these workshops is to help producers get maximum yields while maintaining efficient water use from their irrigation systems.

The March 17 workshop will be held at Cabela’s in Dundee (for more information, contact Lina Rodriguez, 517-264-5310); the March 18 workshop will be at the Bavarian Inn in Frankenmuth (Ben Phillips, 989-758-2500); the March 19 meeting will be at English Hills Country Club in Grand Rapids (Ben Werling, 231-873-2129). RUP and CCA credits will be available.