Volume 13 Issue 7 July/August Nebraska Edition
By Kris Polly This month, we have the privilege of presenting an interview with Nebraska’s newest member of Congress, Mike Flood. Congressman Flood, who was elected in a June special election, tells us his thoughts on irrigated agriculture and how he plans to support his constituents in Washington, DC. We also interview Rick Reinders, the co-CEO of Watertronics, a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of a wide variety of pump stations, control panels, and telemetry products for the agricultural, industrial/municipal, landscape irrigation, and golf irrigation markets. Irrigation districts are not usually awash in cash, yet they face high capital expenses for the construction and maintenance of major infrastructure projects. Kipp Drummond, a longtime…
Volume 13 Issue 7 July/August Arizona Edition
By Kris Polly The drought-driven reduction in hydropower production in the Colorado basin and the increasing costs of hydroelectricity and alternate power sources threatens to create a perfect storm for Arizona irrigation districts and irrigated producers. In our cover interview this month, Ed Gerak, the executive director of the Irrigation and Electrical Districts Association of Arizona, helps us figure out what the future could hold. We also interview Rick Reinders, the co-CEO of Watertronics, a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of a wide variety of pump stations, control panels, and telemetry products for the agricultural, industrial/municipal, landscape irrigation, and golf irrigation markets. Irrigation districts are not usually awash in cash, yet they face…
Volume 13 Issue 7 July/August Montana Edition
By Kris Polly In this month’s cover feature, Greenfields Irrigation District Manager Erling Juel tells us about his organization’s plan to build several hydropower plants and to put the revenue gained toward funding repairs, modernization, and water conservation. We also speak with Congressman Dan Newhouse of Washington State about his support for agriculture and his role in moving forward title transfer, including the recent title transfer obtained by the Kennewick Irrigation District (KID). We also interview Rick Reinders, the co-CEO of Watertronics, a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of a wide variety of pump stations, control panels, and telemetry products for the agricultural, industrial/municipal, landscape irrigation, and golf irrigation markets. Irrigation districts are…
Volume 13 Issue 7 July/August Washington State Edition
By Kris Polly Irrigation districts are not usually awash in cash, yet they face high capital expenses for the construction and maintenance of major infrastructure projects. In this issue, we take a look at the different budgeting methods and funding mechanisms that can help them fulfill their missions. In this month’s cover feature, we interview Congressman Dan Newhouse about his support for Washington agriculture and his role in moving forward title transfer, including the recent title transfer obtained by the Kennewick Irrigation District (KID). We also interview Rick Reinders, the co-CEO of Watertronics, a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of a wide variety of pump stations, control panels, and telemetry products for the…
Congressman Dan Newhouse: Supporting Irrigated Ag in Central Washington State
The Yakima River basin is one of the most productive and intensively irrigated agricultural areas of the United States. Farmers there raise cattle and grow apples, cherries, grapes, pears, and hay. In this interview, Dan Newhouse, who represents Washington’s Fourth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, discusses the importance of irrigated ag to the region and talks about his recent legislation simplifying the title transfer process and putting local districts in the driver’s seat.
Vicky Bloomer of DROP Consulting: Supporting Irrigated Agriculture in Hawke’s Bay
Vicky Bloomer, the owner and director of DROP Consulting, has long experience with irrigated agriculture. Her time at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, an irrigation company, and Irrigation New Zealand (IrrigationNZ) gave her a thorough understanding of the pressures affecting irrigated farmers, water suppliers, and regulators, which she brings to her consulting work. In this interview, she tells Irrigation Leader about recent changes in metering and data collection and explains why and how Hawke’s Bay farmers can become more water efficient.
Ed Gerak of the Irrigation and Electrical Districts Association of Arizona: The Coming Irrigation Electricity Crisis
The prolonged drought in the Colorado basin is affecting every aspect of the power equation in Arizona, simultaneously reducing hydropower production and increasing the cost of hydropower and alternate power sources. This situation, along with water supply constraints, is likely to create a perfect storm for many irrigation districts. In this interview, Ed Gerak, the executive director of the Irrigation and Electrical Districts Association of Arizona (IEDA), tells us about what this situation means for the association’s members and Arizona farmers.
Volume 13 Issue 6 June Arizona Edition
By Kris Polly For 100 years, the Roosevelt Irrigation District (RID) has brought groundwater from South Phoenix to irrigate a large agricultural area in the Avondale, Goodyear, and Buckeye areas of Arizona. Like many Phoenix-area irrigation entities, RID is grappling with the effects of urbanization, aging infrastructure, and water supply issues. In our cover story this month, RID Superintendent Donovan Neese tells us about how the district is working to sustain irrigated ag into the future. The rest of this month’s issue focuses on California’s Central Valley, one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. Established in 1887, Turlock Irrigation District was the first irrigation district in California.…
Volume 13 Issue 6 June Montana Edition
By Kris Polly With a background in engineering, water resources, and irrigation and as a principal and cofounder of Performance Engineering, Scott Aspenlieder’s background equips him perfectly for his role as the president of the Montana Water Resources Association (MWRA). In that role, he works to protect water rights and keep policymakers apprised of the economic importance of irrigated agriculture amid the rapid development that parts of the state are experiencing. In our cover story, Mr. Aspenlieder tells us more about MWRA’s top issues and its important role. We also interview irrigated farmers on the ground: the Sheehan Family of central Washington. The Sheehans run their dairy and crop farm…
Volume 13 Issue 7 July/August New Zealand Edition
By Kris Polly In our cover feature this month, we interview Vicky Bloomer, the owner and director of DROP Consulting. Ms. Bloomer’s long experience with irrigated agriculture at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, an irrigation company, and Irrigation New Zealand, has given her a multifaceted view of the climatic, economic, and regulatory pressures affecting water users and irrigated farmers. We also interview Rick Reinders, the co-CEO of Watertronics, a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of a wide variety of pump stations, control panels, and telemetry products for the agricultural, industrial/municipal, landscape irrigation, and golf irrigation markets. Irrigation districts are not usually awash in cash, yet they face high capital expenses for the construction…
