IIC Exec Dir Tim Martin’s work recognized with CSU College of Ag Science Award
Dr. Martin was recognized with the Outstanding Contributions to Research and Scholarship Award for his work as Executive Director of the Irrigation Innovation Consortium (IIC) at the CSU-College of Ag Science’s annual “Celebrate!” ceremony in April 2023.
Dr. Martin joined the IIC at the depths of the pandemic about halfway through the IIC’s 5-year project timeline, now extended for a no-cost year to wrap up project work (2018-2023). At the time, pandemic shutdowns were delaying research activities significantly, with project leaders unable to hire students or access research labs or fields. He hit the ground running, providing leadership for project scope of work adjustments, improving project transparency, and reshaping communications related to IIC’s large portfolio of more than 40 projects.
He also focused on building relationships with IIC’s staff, board members, industry representatives, and IIC’s major sponsor the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR). As part of this effort, he strengthened ties with the Irrigation Association (IA), the leading membership organization for water management companies and professionals in agriculture, landscape and golf industries.
Responding to board and external input, Dr. Martin spearheaded an irrigation industry research needs survey in 2021 that was used to refresh IIC research priorities. IIC’s annual call for proposals in 2022 was shaped to extend beyond focusing on irrigation technology development and irrigation management strategies to include projects focused on the integration of tools and strategies, data synthesis for informed decision making, clarifying water use benchmarks, targets, and protocols, and quantifying potential benefits (biophysical, practical, economic) of advanced irrigation management.
“In 2021, Tim and IIC staff, along with the IA, supported a research study of the Economic Impact of the Irrigation Equipment and Services Industry” which was eye opening, estimating annual direct expenditures on irrigation equipment and services at approximately $8.92 billion in 2020,” said Aric Olson, IIC board co-chair and President of Jain Irrigation, Inc.
“Dr. Martin’s contributions to research and scholarship have elevated CSU’s national reputation in water research and has expanded public-private partnerships in the irrigation sector”
Twelve new research projects located within and across multiple states, supported by approximately $1.1 million of FFAR funds matched with an additional $1.1 million in private and non-federal contributions, have been funded during Dr. Martin’s tenure with IIC.
Dr. Martin was instrumental in obtaining two grants from the Colorado Water Conservation Board to upgrade the irrigation infrastructure at CSU’s Agricultural Research, Development, and Education Center-South (ARDEC-South). These grants are also supporting the establishment of a new Colorado State University-Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) program.
TAPS is an innovative agricultural management competition at CSU which also serves as a robust research framework for advancing understanding of how management decisions and their timing effect crop performance, input use, efficiency, and farm profitability.
Thanks to Dr. Martin’s continued efforts and leadership, TAPS at CSU launched on April 6, 2023 with 19 teams competing throughout the 2023 growing season.
“Tim has worked tirelessly to support or shepherd several state- and national-level grant proposals to support applied irrigation management research projects and to ensure that IIC’s work and the value of its network will be felt by communities for years and decades to come,” said Amy Kremen, Associate Director of the IIC.
Congratulations, Tim!