Staples, MN
Tyler Grunewald, AgCentric
Central Lakes College/Ag and Energy Center in Staples hosted the 2025 Irrigation RCPP (Regional Conservation Partnership Program) Technical Advanced Training Workshop on June 24 and 25, bringing together 40 conservation professionals from NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Services), SWCDs (Soil and Water Conservation Districts) and partnering organizations from across the state. The two-day event focused on building practical irrigation knowledge and advancing conservation practices to support Minnesota agriculture.
Participants engaged in a range of technical sessions covering irrigation scheduling tools, soil moisture sensor interpretation, pumping plant and sprinkler system certification, and variable rate irrigation strategies. The training emphasized real-world application and provided tools to better assist producers in implementing efficient, sustainable irrigation management systems.
The first day featured both classroom training and hands-on, in-field demonstrations at the CLC Ag & Energy Center, where participants rotated through stations to interact directly with active irrigation systems and practice system evaluation techniques. On the second day, inclement weather brought the event indoors to the Staples campus. This shift enhanced the workshop in new ways—allowing for deeper conversations, extended Q&A sessions, and increased peer-to-peer learning.
Presentations were led by experts from the University of Minnesota, NRCS, local SWCDs, CLC Ag & Energy Center staff, and R.D. Offutt Farms team members, who shared valuable insights on implementing modern irrigation technologies in production agriculture. A panel of local irrigators added a practical lens, sharing how irrigation tools and conservation strategies play out in day-to-day farm operations.
The workshop was organized as part of the Irrigation RCPP project, which supports the implementation of irrigation conservation practices. AgCentric, the Minnesota State Northern Agriculture Center of Excellence, played a key role in coordinating the workshop. Co-organizers were East Otter Tail and Sherburne SWCDs, University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources. Financial support and supplies for the workshop were sponsored by RD Offutt Farms, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, Minnesota Valley Irrigation and Central Lakes College. By bringing together conservation professionals, educators, and agricultural leaders, AgCentric continues to build technical capacity and foster innovation in sustainable farming practices across the state.
To learn more about this initiative and upcoming irrigation training opportunities, visit:
🔗 www.agcentric.org/rcpp-precision-irrigation
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