The Irrigation Association (IA) has named the Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT) its Partner of the Year in recognition of CIT’s support of irrigation education, certification and standards. The award will be presented Nov. 6 at the Keynote Breakfast of the International Irrigation Show in San Antonio.
“They work with us on almost everything that we do,” says Beth Casteel, communications manager for IA. “They are supportive of not just the IA but the industry as a whole.”
CIT, an independent research and testing facility at California State University, Fresno, developed the testing protocols and conducts product tests for the Smart Water Application Technologies program, which tests controllers that use sensors or other data on the amount of rainfall in an area to determine the amount of water needed for irrigation. The center also supports the IA certification program and represents IA at the International Organization for Standardization. This year, CIT helped raise the profile of IA at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, Calif., by coordinating an irrigation pavilion and seminars.
Other 2006 honorees include Les Jochens, founder of Western Irrigation Supply House, Industry Achievement Award; Eugene Rochester, The Rochester Group, Person of the Year; and San Antonio Water System, National Water & Energy Conservation Award. Chapin Watermatics Inc. Chairman Richard Chapin will be recognized with a special humanitarian award.
