The International Center for Water Technology at California State University, Fresno is teaming up with the Irrigation Association to sponsor three days of workshops at the 2006 World Ag Expo Feb. 14-16 in the new Irrigation Center
The new Irrigation Center is south of Pavilions A and B with workshops scheduled every 50 minutes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fresno State’s water technology experts will be among several university representatives participating in the world’s largest farm show held in Tulare, about 45 miles south of Fresno, including the Green V Association which will discuss the partnership of Bulldogs athletics and the agriculture industry on KMJ Radio 580 AM on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at noon.
Fresno State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology include highly acclaimed researchers and faculty and agriculture programs such as, in addition to water and irrigation technology, viticulture and enology and who will participate at this week’s World Ag Expo.
Dr; Robert Wample, head of Fresno State’s Viticulture and Enology programs, will hold a special wine-tasting reception featuring award-winning Fresno State wines in the California Crop Center on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 3:30 p.m. following a day-long agenda of grape industry speakers that will be highlighted by California Secretary of Agriculture A. G. Kawamura at noon.
On Wednesday, Feb. 15, the Fresno State Winery will participate in a wine and cheese tasting reception at 3:30 p.m. also in the California Crop Center, which is located along Median and S Streets, just outside Pavilion C on the east end of the World Ag Expo show grounds.
The university’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology will be represented at two booths in the university section, Pavilion C (# 3911 and 3910) featuring the Fresno State Farm Market this year.
The college’s Ag Ambassadors, students in the ag programs at Fresno State, and the Office of University Outreach Services will present various games, activities and promotional materials for prospective students, alumni and other guests stopping by the booths.
The Ag Ambassador Team is one of the most active groups of university agricultural students in California, said Rick Chacon, Outreach counselor for Fresno State agriculture programs.
“The team’s mission is promote leadership in the agriculture industry, demonstrate professionalism and personal leadership, and to recruit potential university students to study agriculture,” he said.
The Ag Ambassadors will offer Fresno State student-produced farm product samples for booth visitors to taste (times are approximate):
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 11 a.m. Sausage 1:30 p.m. Cheese
11: a.m. Bulldog ice cream 1:30 p.m. Flavored almonds
11 a.m. Variety of jams on crackers
Fresno State, a regional and state leader in agricultural education, participates annually in the World Ag Expo and will help lead the way in a new feature at the show — the first Irrigation Center, which is just south of Pavilions A and B, convenient to the water and irrigation exhibitors in Pavilion B.
Ag Expo Chairman Erin Ferguson said irrigation and water are top concerns for farmers, and the creation of the Irrigation Center reflects the importance of irrigation to agriculture.
The irrigation workshops will focus on water conservation, irrigation uniformity, filters, drip system troubleshooting, pumps, micro irrigation, irrigation consumer tips, controllers and irrigation scheduling.
Also, Bill Green, education specialist for Fresno State’s International Center for Water Technology, will conduct a one day seminar on Agricultural Pumping Efficiency at the AgTAC Ctr. He will present three sessions:
• 8:30-10 a.m. – Pump Efficiency
• 10:15-11:15 a.m. – Chemigation Lecture
• 11:15 am. – noon – Chemigation Equipment Demo
The KMJ show on Tuesday, opening day, will feature Greg Walaitis, development director for the Fresno State Department of Athletics. He will discuss how the Valley’s ag industry and the Bulldogs can work together. He is expected to announce a program in which participants can donate their goods with proceeds supporting student athletes through the Green V Society.
The university’s role in agricultural was underscored last year when it served as host to the first of several CSU system wide impact forums examining how its 23 campuses directly or indirectly affect the economic, social, intellectual and cultural life of all of California.
LINKS and contactsWorld Ag Expo – http://www.worldagexpo.com/default.aspInternational Center for Water Technology – http://wwvv.icwt.net/ 559.278.7691
Center for Irrigation Technology – http://cati.csufresno.edu/cit 559.278-2066
Viticulture and enology – http://cast.csufresno.edu/ve 559.278-2089
Ag Ambassador Team – http://cast.csufresno.edu/outreach/index.htm 559.278.7575
CSU system wide impact forums – http://www.calstate.edu/pa/news/2004/impactNR.shtml
