The Minnesota Irrigator Program (MIP) helps irrigators and irrigation professionals match irrigation to crop water use, improve water-use efficiency, and reduce water costs.
Topics include:
- Irrigation scheduling
- Variable rate technology
- Autonomous pivots
- Flowmeters and calibration
- Nitrogen management
MIP is one of the requirements for the Irrigation Endorsement to the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). Participants must attend the entire course to become certified.
Certified education credits (CEUs) are offered for Certified Crop Advisers.
2026 program
In addition to learning about the most effective irrigation management practices, completing the MIP is one of the requirements to attain the Irrigation Endorsement of the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. Certified farms will receive the endorsement with proof of attendance to this program and the adoption of a new irrigation practice or scheduling method on-farm.
Tim Gieseke, Extension educator
[email protected] or 507-766-9495
Vasudha Sharma, Extension irrigation specialist
[email protected] or 612-626-4986
Mitchell Janson, Irrigation/Agronomy Specialist
[email protected] or 218-228-2376
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture
- R.D. Offutt
- Earthscout
- Minnesota Corn
- Nelson
- 360 Rain
- Sentinel Ag
As a sponsor for the Minnesota Irrigation Program, you will network, gain exposure, and directly support irrigators, their consultants, and local government staff in their efforts to improve water use efficiency and crop and food production.
Our in-person event is designed to educate 25 participants (20 irrigators, 5 local technical staff) each year who are all interested in irrigation water management and its effect on crop production. It consists of three in-class sessions in the spring and a field day in the summer.
As a sponsor, we invite you to share promotional materials and attend the sessions.
Contact Tim Gieseke at [email protected] or 507-766-9495, for more information on becoming a sponsor.