Master Irrigator

The Master Irrigator Program is an irrigation management curriculum made up of 24 hours of intensive irrigation education conducted over four one-day sessions to show producers how to maximize advanced conservation irrigation management and conservation practices that work together to save water, conserve energy, build soil health and enhance farm profitability.

*Perfect attendance is required for graduation from the course. Each day begins at 8:30am to sign in and adjourns at 4:30pm. We strongly encourage participants to show up around 8:30am to sign in and gather materials. Breakfast and lunch will be provided every day of the program.

2025 Graduating Class Photo

SAVE THE DATES

The 2026 Master Irrigator course will be held on February 18, February 25, March 4, and March 11, covering agronomics, irrigation scheduling, systems, and special topics.

Registration closes February 11, 2026, or as soon as we have 25 registrants.

2026 Master Irrigator Registration Form 2026

Fill out the form above and mail it to:

North Plains GCD/Master Irrigator
PO Box 795
Dumas, TX 79029

Or email the completed form to Baylee Barnes at bbarnes@northplainsgcd.org.

Presenting sponsor

The Texas Water Development Board is the Presenting sponsor of the Master Irrigator Program.

100% of graduates surveyed said they plan to implement something they learned from the course!

Graduates said they appreciated learning about:

Moisture monitoring
Drones
No-till discussion
Producer panels
Newest technologies & ideas available
VFDs
Agronomics
VRI
System application & efficiency
Crop profitability analyzer

Here’s what some of the graduates said about Master Irrigator:

“We cannot stop doing better or we lose everything.” – Master Irrigator Graduate

“Great class on irrigation practices with leading edge technology presented by top people in their field.” Tommy Cartrite, Master Irrigator Graduate

“My primary role in our operation is risk management. In every session I was able to identify key practices that will benefit our return on investment.” Master Irrigator Graduate

“We are business owners, so time is money. This course is going to return the best ROI on my time of any training I have had in years!” 2023 Scott Nefstead, Master Irrigator Graduate

“It’s a very informative program and has a lot of opportunities to learn new practices and information. We have to keep up with the changing times, if we don’t, we will be left with nothing. As one of the younger members in the class, we have to learn as much as possible to be able to keep doing what I personally love to do and be able to pass it along to the next generation. Overall, an amazing program! Thank you!” Michael Ray Smith, 2023 Master Irrigator Graduate

“You guys did a great job – one of the most educational classes I have gone to” L. Taylor, 2024 Master Irrigator Graduate