Irrigated fields located near Outlook, Sask., provide positive agricultural returns even during drought conditions. (Photo: Phillip Harder)

USask announces new micro-credentials in sustainable irrigation

Two new micro-credentials at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) provide professionals the opportunity to gain knowledge in water management and irrigation agronomy.

By Brett Makulowich

The new non-credit, community-level Sustainable Irrigation program is offered by the College of Agriculture and Bioresources (AgBio) at USask. Learners have the option to use their completed courses in this program towards two different micro-credentials; Sustainable Irrigation - Irrigation Agronomy, and Sustainable Irrigation - Water Management.

The program is designed for agronomists, agrologists, producers, engineers, and anyone who is interested in sound decision-making in irrigated agriculture. Learners are introduced to the conditions required for sustainable irrigation, including topics related to protection of the environment, regulations, technical design, water management, and farm management.

“Sustainable irrigation contributes to a more resilient agricultural sector in Canada by increasing agricultural productivity and mitigating environmental impacts,” said Dr. Tom Yates (PhD), associate dean academic of AgBio. “These new micro-credentials are a great example of how the College of Agriculture and Bioresources strives to respond to community need by creating new and innovative programming.”

To accommodate the professional work lives of learners, course materials are available online and may be completed asynchronously leading up to a three day in-person assessment for the micro-credentials. Learners can earn specializations in Water Management and/or Irrigation Agronomy based off which courses they choose to take.

“Developing an irrigation plan for a parcel of land is just of one of many hands-on learning assessments that takes place during the in-person portion of the micro-credentials,” said Dr. Joel Ens (PhD), instructor and developer of the program. “Saskatchewan’s prairie landscape provides learners an excellent opportunity to put what they’ve learnt into practice.”

The program is currently open for registration. Questions about the program can be directed to irrigation@usask.ca.