Master Irrigator
The Mississippi Master Irrigator program from MSU Extension is designed to provide advanced training to participants on topics including:
- Irrigation water management practices
- Soil health
- Agronomics
- Irrigation systems and equipment maintenance
- Policy and management
The program consists of online modules (via Canvas), classroom trainings, peer-to-peer exchange among participants and instructors, and field demonstrations. The online modules and classroom trainings are conducted by MSU Extension specialists and other individuals with specialized experience in each of the topics.
The online portion of the program is live, and enrollment is ongoing. Participants can register for the program until January 31, 2024, which will also be the last day to complete the self-paced online modules that are required to attend the in-person meetings. The in-person meetings will take place on February 21st and 22nd at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS. At the conclusion of the in-person meetings, those completing this advanced training course in sustainable irrigation techniques will receive Mississippi Master Irrigator certification.
Why This Program?
Producers need an advanced understanding of irrigation scheduling tools and technologies to effectively implement conservation irrigation water management practices on-farm. The goal of this program is to equip producers with the knowledge they need to make the right irrigation water management decisions that improve water use efficiency and on-farm profitability.
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Program Registration
Contact
Dillon Russell
Program Coordinator
dar335@msstate.edu
Drew Gholson
MSU Extension Irrigation Specialist
drew.gholson@msstate.edu
Publications
News
The Mississippi State University Extension Service is taking irrigation education a step further than before by offering Master Irrigator status to those who complete a course of training.
There is no cost to growers to participate in this training, which includes eight hours of online classes and 16 hours of in-person training. Drew Gholson, MSU Extension irrigation specialist and coordinator of the National Center for Alluvial Aquifer Research, said the goal is for participants to put into practice the skills acquired in the program.
Success Stories
More than 80 grade-school students from Choctaw Tribal Schools visited Mississippi State University in March to participate in Choctaw Preview Day.
