The goal of the Irrigation and Agricultural Water Management (IAWM) educational programs is to prepare students to be wise managers of irrigation, water resources, and agricultural systems.

The need for professionals in agricultural water management is great, yet few universities in the U.S. have maintained educational programs in irrigation engineering and management.

UNL is well positioned to address this gap with several irrigation faculty and synergy with Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI). Nebraska has more irrigated acres than any other state and is home to the irrigation industry (the four largest center pivot manufacturers, power and pumping systems, water conveyance systems, service providers, etc.).

As a land-grant university, we maintain a strong connection with the irrigation industry by equipping students to work in the irrigation profession and integrating current technology into irrigation coursework. Our programs focus on irrigated agriculture in Nebraska, the Great Plains, and internationally.

Graduate programs

By working closely with faculty, students learn about current research and technology as well as the fundamentals of irrigation. Key components of a graduate education in irrigation include field experience, a systems perspective, and learning to think critically about issues related to irrigation, agriculture, and water resources. Student projects are often interdisciplinary in nature, and students often have the opportunity to present at professional conferences.