FALLS CHURCH, Va.-Professionals certified by the Irrigation Association in agricultural irrigation design will continue to qualify for eligibility as technical service providers under the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. On June 15, IA and NRCS signed a memorandum of understanding extending the agreement for an additional five years. This new agreement with NRCS allows IA-certified irrigation designers to become TSPs through an abbreviated application process.
TSPs assist the nation's growers by providing conservation assistance in the areas of irrigation water planning, management and practices. NRCS will place lA-certified TSPs on the approved list to provide technical service to USDA conservation program participants, thereby expanding the list of qualified experts for growers.
To become a certified irrigation designer in sprinkler, surface or drip-micro for agricultural irrigation, candidates must demonstrate a minimum of three years of irrigation-related experience and education, pass a series of three written exams, maintain continuing education requirements and adhere to the IA Certification Board's code of ethics.
Visit www.irrigation.org/cid.