2009 Work Plan - Priority Items 

MARKETING
1.  Assist individuals and groups in developing high-value irrigated crops and related processing as needed.
2.  Develop a stronger relationship with the departments of Agriculture and Commerce to develop local markets for irrigated crops, particularly those of high value. 
3.  Continue to support the efforts of the group working to establish a potato processing plant in northwest North Dakota as needed.   
4.  Develop new and maintain existing educational materials up-to-date. 
5.  Continue to work with processing facility representatives to keep abreast of their activities. 

FUNDING AND FINANCE
1.  Confer with the Bank of North Dakota representatives for increasing the AgPace Program loan limit for each cycle to adjust for increased costs. 
2.  Make a request to the State Water Commission to participate in the second or third cycles of the AgPace Program by an individual.  
3.  Support potential legislation to make the sales tax on irrigation equipment parts consistent with other farm equipment. 
4.  Continue to work closely with the NRCS (on EQIP) to monitor and support appropriate changes to enhance existing irrigation.

PROJECTS
1.  Monitor the status of H.R. 2421 (Clean Water Restoration Act of 2007) and oppose it as needed. 
2.  Support the State Water Commission in budget requests for funding to reduce the backlog of water permit applications. 
3.  Study alternatives for diverting Missouri River water into Emmons, Burleigh, and Kidder counties. 
4.  Work with the Turtle Lake Irrigation District and others to expand irrigation in the Turtle Lake area
5.  Work with the Big Bend Irrigation District and others to expand irrigation in the Hensler, Stanton, and Hazen areas. 
6.  Conduct research to obtain available information on the feasibility and the support to divert water from the Missouri River into Burleigh, Emmons, and Kidder counties for irrigation development.
7.  Work with the Dickey-Sargent Irrigation District as needed regarding water supply, infrastructure, and transfer of facilities. 

RESEARCH
1.  Work with the partners to identify, prioritize, and identify funding sources for irrigation research and pursue management support for funding & implementation. 
2.  Continue to pursue support and implementation of research on tile drainage for irrigated land and soil and water chemistry relationships and effects on crop yields.
3.  Attend Garrison Diversion meetings as appropriate. 
4.  Assist in the dissemination of irrigation research results to the irrigation industry. 

AFFORDABLE ENERGY
1.  Work with North Dakota’s Rural Electric Cooperatives, the Bureau of Reclamation, and others to implement the power provisions of the Dakota Water Resources Act.
2.  Work with the Upper Missouri Water Association to obtain project pumping power rates authorized under the Flood Control Act of 1944.  3.  Develop and/or distribute cost data on alternative power sources for irrigation as needed. 

COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION
1.  Continue efforts to expand the membership of the NDIA with a goal of a 20 percent increase by the end of 2009.   
2.  Work with members of the North Dakota Legislature, NDSU, Department of Agriculture, and others on issues related to improved irrigation practices and development. 
3.  Work with NDSU Extension, Garrison Diversion, State Water Commission and other partners in implementing prioritized components of the Comprehensive Plan for Irrigation Development in North Dakota.  
4.  Continue the effort of developing a website for NDIA.  
5.  Provide information to producers and irrigation entities as needed or requested through workshops, newsletters, Irrigation Frontier in the North Dakota Water magazine, and individual communication to enhance irrigation development. 
6.  Continue to participate and/or attend workshops, tours, and meetings relevant to irrigation. 

The NDIA is governed by a board of directors consisting of 13 representatives from the membership elected at-large annually. The chairman and vice-chairman are elected by the board.

2009 NDIA Board of Directors 

Chairman
Rick Anderson, Coleharbor
Irrigator and board member of the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District

Vice Chairman
Ken Miller, Fort Rice
Irrigator and Burleigh County Soil Conservation District Technician

Herb Grenz, Linton
Irrigator

Alan Butts, Bismarck
Irrigation and Real Estate
E-mail: alanb131@bis.midco.net

Dan Dahl, Streeter
Irrigator
E-mail: dahls54@wildblue.net    

Roger Gunlikson, Zahl
Irrigator

Clayton Hoffman, Hazen
Irrigation Supporter and Roughrider Electric manager
E-mail: choffman@roughriderelectric.com

Ty Dewitz, Tappen
Tappen Irrigation
E-mail: tyndeb@bektel.com

Tom Mund, Milnor
Irrigator
E-mail: tommund@drtel.net (North Dakota)
tommund@frontiernet.net (Arizona)

Doug Gullikson, Cartwright
Irrigator
E-mail: gulliksn@midrivers.com

Robert Vivatson
Irrigator
E-mail: rsviva@polarcom.com

Norm Haak, Oakes
Irrigator and board member of the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District
E-mail: nhaak@brtel.net

Tom Rolfstad, Williston
Executive Director for Williston Economic Development
E-mail: tomr@ci.williston.nd.us

There are also several representatives from government agencies, universities and other entities that are appointed as non-voting advisory members.

NDIA Advisory Members

Walt Albus, Research Agronomist,
Oakes Irrigation Research Site
Phone: 701-742-2744
E-mail: walter.albus@ndsu.edu

Dr. Jerry Bergman, Director
Williston Research Extension Center
Phone: 701-774-4315 (Williston Office)
406-433-2208 (Sidney Office)
E-mail: expwill@ndsuext.nodak.edu

Dave Koland, Garrison Diversion Conservancy District General Manager
Phone: 701-652-3194
E-mail: davek@daktel.com

Dave Johnson, Garrison Diversion Conservancy District Engineer
Phone: 701-652-3194
E-mail: davidjohnson@daktel.com

Blaine Schatz, Director,
Carrington Research Extension Center
Phone: 701-652-2951
E-mail: blaine.schatz@ndsu.edu

Chet Hill, NDSU Area Extension Specialist/Ag Diversification,
Value-Added
Phone: 701-774-4315
E-mail: chet.hill@ndsu.edu

Roger Haugen, NDSU Extension Service, Assistant Director,
Ag and Natural Resources
Phone: 701-231-7178
E-mail: roger.haugen@ndsu.edu

Lance Gaebe, Office of the Governor
Phone: 701-328-1048
E-mail: lgaebe@nd.gov

Dale Frink, North Dakota State Engineer
Phone: 701-328-4942
E-mail: dfrink@nd.gov

Tom Scherer, NDSU Extension Service, Irrigation Engineer
Phone: 701-231-7239
E-mail: thomas.scherer@ndsu.edu

Robert Shaver, State Water Commission,
Director Water Appropriation Division
Phone:  701-328-2754
E-mail: bshaver@nd.gov

Jim Weigel, Bureau of Reclamation, Dakota Areas Office
Phone: 701-221-1289
E-mail: jweigel@gp.usbr.gov

Policy positions are established by the members at the annual meeting of the Association, and by the board of directors throughout the year. The working partnerships with NDSU Extension Service specialists and others provide the resources to carryout a proactive approach to accomplishing the Strategic Plan for Irrigation Development in North Dakota.

Click to open as PDF:

NDIA Bylaws

Member Meeting Minutes

12-6-2007

12-4-2008

12-10-2009

Board of Directors

Meeting Minutes

9-23-2008

12-5-2008

12-7-2009

12-11-2009