The Minnesota Irrigator Program (MIP) is an annual University of Minnesota Extension training program designed for irrigators, crop consultants, agency staff, and agricultural professionals who want to improve irrigation management while protecting Minnesota’s groundwater and surface water resources. The program provides intensive, practical education on irrigation scheduling, crop water use and evapotranspiration, soil moisture sensors, irrigation system performance, nutrient management, variable rate irrigation, remote sensing, and emerging irrigation technologies. MIP is guided by an advisory committee that includes farmers, state and federal agencies, SWCDs, Extension specialists, irrigation industry professionals, and other partners, so the program remains focused on real irrigation challenges in Minnesota. A major goal of the program is to help participants adopt improved irrigation scheduling tools, advanced technologies, and water-quality protection practices on working farms. Across program years, participants reported increased knowledge and greater confidence in using irrigation management practices, and the program also supports the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program Irrigation Endorsement for eligible farmers.
If you are interested in attending this program, please contact Dr. Vasudha Sharma at [email protected] or visit the Minnesota Irrigator Program website.
Program pictures
