Irrigation Foundation

Irrigation e3 program: the Foundation provides awards and grants for students to expose future green industry professionals to Irrigation career opportunities. The e3 program was created to provide college students enrolled in an Irrigation class or course an opportunity to learn more about the Irrigation industry and to network with professionals in the industry. Students are nominated by their instructor. The nominee packet includes paragraphs from both the instructor and student on how the student would benefit from attending the Irrigation show.

Planet student career days: the Foundation provides awards and grants for students to expose future green industry professionals to Irrigation career opportunities. Winners receive complimentary travel, hotel, class enrollment and registration costs valued at up to $2,500 per person and are exposed to learning, career possibilities, networking, and information and technologies not available locally.

Faculty academy: the annual two-day long Irrigation faculty academy instructor training event provides intensive classroom training, hands-on learning and skill development, and manufacturing and installation demonstrations by Irrigation industry leaders and companies.the Irrigation faculty academy was developed to provide learning opportunities for instructors and faculty of technical schools, two and four-year colleges and universities who wish to expand or establish Irrigation related curriculum at their schools. Travel grants are offered on an as-needed basis to provide financial assistance in bridging the gap between an attendee's travel expenses and their employer's budgeted amount for said travel. Nearly one-third of attendees request some financial assistance to attend this event.

Educator of the year; the Irrigation Foundation excellence in education award recongnizes a person that is actively teaching Irrigation, water management and/or water conservation in affiliation with a two or four-year institution. The person helps supply the Irrigation industry with educated professionals that provide efficient Irrigation solutions that protect water and the environment. The recipient will be recongnized during the Irrigation show and education conference and will be reimbursed for their travel to either the Irrigation faculty academy (june) or the Irrigation show (november).

Marketing and communications: information about careers and career opportunities is developed for distribution at various green industry events, including the professional landcare network student career days, american school counselors association conference and ffa convention. Career informational materials, in the form of brochures, dvds, newsletters and promotional materials, are shared with student, school counselor and educator attendees. In addition, the Foundation provides event sponsorship as well as on-site education and technical assistance. These interactive opportunities have a potential reach to over 85,000 students seeking career options and information.

Ffa national meeting: staff participate in exposition and exhibit hall activities at the ffa convention. Information about careers and career opportunities is shared with the student, school counselor and educator attendees. Annual funding is provided in scholarship resources to ffa's managed scholarship program.