Indiana Ag Connection - Irrigation Information Floods December Workshop

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Irrigation Information Floods December Workshop
Indiana Ag Connection - 11/30/2009

The Winter Irrigation Workshop to be held Dec. 11 in Shipshewana will cover water use legislation, Great Lakes requirements for irrigation, water availability and more.

"Both Michigan and Indiana are dealing with meeting the requirements of the Great Lakes Compact and will have to make changes," said Lyndon Kelley, Purdue Extension and Michigan State University Extension irrigation specialist.

The Great Lakes Compact is a joint agreement between the states and provinces surrounding the Great Lakes, and it's designed to keep water use management at the local level.

"In Michigan, a protocol was put together to decide how much water should come out of a watershed," Kelley explained. "An individual interested in installing irrigation will have to use a computer program to see how much water has been allotted and how much water is available for use.

"Indiana is still determining what the best options are. They are considering if a new policy for the state should be developed or if the current policy meets the requirement of the Great Lakes Compact."

The workshop, sponsored by the Michiana Irrigation Association, will take place at the Blue Gate Restaurant and Bakery from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration is $30 per person, which includes lunch and dues to the Michiana Irrigation Association, and is due by Dec. 4.

Kelley said this is the one time each year that irrigators and key industry people get together and discuss a select few topics.

"These speakers are people who are leading the irrigation industry and developing policy to improve the watersheds, land and communities that impact our everyday lives," he said.

One of the topics will look at the investment for a 10-year irrigation system and Chris Hurt, Purdue Extension ag economist will provide a long-term economic outlook and discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

Bill Northcott, Michigan State University Extension irrigation and water management specialist, will discuss irrigation scheduling options for Michigan and Indiana. Additionally, Steve Davis, Michigan Natural Resources and Conservation Service state conservation engineer, will give an overview on money available to irrigators from NRCS programs in both states.

During the workshop, Andy Smith of the Irrigation Association will talk about the value of being an affiliate member of the Irrigation Association, and the Michiana Irrigation Association will hold its board meeting and elect new board members.