Each year, the Irrigation Association (IA) and Irrigation Foundation honor those who have made significant contributions to the irrigation industry. This year’s recipients have achieved meaningful accomplishments in their efforts to promote efficient irrigation and water use, so it is more than fitting to announce them as the 2018 award winners during Smart Irrigation Month.
Industry Achievement Award
The Industry Achievement Award was established in 1966 and honors an individual whose career demonstrates outstanding contributions to the advancement of the irrigation industry and its products and programs.
Jim Klauzeris the recipient of the 2018 Industry Achievement Award. Klauzer is a sales agronomist with Clearwater Supply in Ontario, Oregon. During his 18 years with Clearwater Supply, Klauzer has been instrumental in driving a significant increase in the use of efficient irrigation technology in the Treasure Valley area and the entire Pacific Northwest region.
Vanguard Awards
The Vanguard Award honors an innovative irrigation project executed by a team of individuals, companies, organizations or other group entities. This year, the IA awarded two Vanguard Awards.
The Conserva Irrigation – Target Corporation sustainability projectis being recognized for its program to create meaningful water savings by changing the irrigation services approach at Target’s irrigated properties. After two years into the project, Target has announced a savings of more than 36 million gallons of water as a result.
The Netafim USA and Gallo Vineyards Inc. variable rate drip irrigation projectis being recognized for its significant improvements in overall production control and reduction in variability. Through the use of VRDI, the project has resulted in increased yields and improved water-use efficiency.
Excellence in Education Award
The Irrigation Foundation Excellence in Education Award recognizes an outstanding educator who is actively teaching or has formerly taught irrigation, water management and/or water conservation.
The 2018 Excellence in Education Award recipient is Franklin Gaudi, EdD, CID, CIC, CAIS,of CalPoly, San Luis Obispo. Gaudi is currently a project manager for the Irrigation Training and Research Center, and he also teaches numerous irrigation courses. Through research and projects at the ITRC, Gaudi is enhancing his classroom by sharing his experience, including real-world problems and solutions.
These outstanding individuals and projects will be recognized during the general session at the Irrigation Show and Education Conference in Long Beach, California, on Thursday, Dec. 6.