Ag educators can learn about irrigation systems and related teaching curriculum at the 2017 Irrigation Agriculture Faculty Academy. The national conference, sponsored by the national Irrigation Foundation, will be held in Grand Island June 8-9.

The Academy is open to instructors teaching at high schools and two- and four-year institutions and Extension educators. Sessions offer information on a variety of irrigation systems and irrigation related curriculum for the classroom. There will be opportunities to network and to tour an irrigation manufacturing plant, T-L Irrigation in Hastings.

Event registration is free and some grant assistance for travel expenses is available on a first-come, first-served basis with preference given to those whose institutions can provide partial financial support. Registrations are due by April 20.

 Session topics will include

• automated irrigation management,
• center pivot and linear move irrigation systems,
• a center pivot hands-on,
• irrigation management approaches,
• pumping plants,
• recent advances in center pivots, and
• variable rate irrigation.    Those who are IA certified will receive 12 CEUs for attending.

Further information, including hotel, travel, registration and scholarship details, is available on the program website at http://www.irrigation.org/IrrigationFoundation/

Sponsors include Nebraska Extension, T-L Irrigation, Irrometer, and RainBird.