What is the Colorado Master Irrigator Program?
Colorado Master Irrigator is an intensive, 4-day educational course available for Republican River Basin irrigators.
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The Colorado Master Irrigator program is focused on offering advanced training in conservation- and efficiency-oriented irrigation management practices for farmers and farm managers. This program has been developed for Republican River Basin producers in a collaborative effort led by several area producers. This program was inspired by and has been modeled after the award-winning Master Irrigator program created and run since 2016 by the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District in the Texas panhandle.
Topic experts including farmers, university Extension specialists from Colorado and adjacent states, and others will serve as instructors over the four days of the program. Colorado Master Irrigator's interactive class format has been designed to encourage peer-to-peer exchange among participants and instructors. |
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Colorado Master Irrigator's goal is for producers to graduate from the program equipped to evaluate how different tools and strategies might enable them to improve water and energy use efficiency, energy, water conservation, soil health, and profitability on their operations.
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As of January 16, 2020, only 2 of 25 spots remain for the 2020 program! Program tuition costs $100. Register today! Announcements11/20/19: CO Master Irrigator program awarded ~$150,000 Colorado Water Plan grant by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB)!
Most of these funds will go directly to Colorado Master Irrigator graduates in the form of participation stipends of $1000-$2000, if they agree to remain in touch with this program to share their approach and progress related to integrating water management strategies and information covered during the course on their operations. This CWCB funding also lays the groundwork for Colorado Master Irrigator to be able to run for three years: 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Program graduates will be offered opportunities to stretch their participation stipends through discounts and other financial assistance opportunities related to various tools and technologies made available through Colorado Master Irrigator partners and sponsors. |
2020 Program scheduleEach class will run from 8:30-4:30 pm at Morgan Community College-Wray Center. Thanks to our sponsors/partners for providing lunch & refreshments! Session 1 - Wednesday, February 12th
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THANKS to Colorado Master Irrigator program partners!