On March 8, representatives from 11 Irrigation Association (IA) member companies traveled to Washington, D.C., to promote the importance of efficient irrigation in both the agriculture and landscape sectors.

During the fly-in, IA members focused on educating policymakers about the WaterSense program, the voluntary, public-private partnership program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. Throughout the day, attendees met with 28 congressional offices to discuss current legislative opportunities for the irrigation industry.

“The Water Resources Congressional Summit is a productive event for all involved,” said IA Government and Public Affairs Director John Farner. “With President Trump’s focus on infrastructure investments and a busy legislative year already underway, it is critical that those in the water industry have a seat at the table to provide expertise in the production of sound policies affecting our water resources.”

The fly-in was part of the two-day Water Resources Congressional Summit hosted by the IA in partnership with the National Ground Water Association and the Water Quality Association. During the event, attendees heard from a variety of experts on tax reform, the budget process and infrastructure spending, and former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.) sharing insight into the current mood in Washington and the outlook for this year’s legislative agenda.