The Irrigation Association has named Jim Klauzer of Clearwater Supply in Ontario, Ore., as the recipient of the 2018 Industry Achievement Award. Klauzer is a sales agronomist with Clearwater Supply, where he focuses on selling and designing efficient drip irrigation systems.
“I applaud Jim for not only receiving this award, but for all he has done to advance the irrigation industry,” IA CEO Deborah Hamlin said. “His work exemplifies the best of what our industry has to offer. I thank Jim for all he has done and congratulate him on this well-deserved honor.”
Klauzer joined Clearwater Supply in 2000. At that time, approximately 3 percent of the onion fields in the Treasure Valley of eastern Oregon and western Idaho were under drip irrigation. Now, drip irrigation accounts for approximately 75 percent of the onions in the area. Klauzer has been instrumental in driving this significant increase in the use of efficient irrigation technology in both the Treasure Valley and the entire Pacific Northwest region through Clearwater Supply.
“I’m honored to receive the Industry Achievement Award from the Irrigation Association,” Klauzer said. “Irrigation is more than a job; it’s my passion. To be recognized with the IA’s highest honor is both exciting and humbling; I look forward to joining my friends, family and colleagues this December in Long Beach to receive this recognition.”
The IA’s highest honor, the Industry Achievement Award was established in 1966 and recognizes an individual whose career demonstrates outstanding contributions to the advancement of the irrigation industry and its products and programs. More information about the award and past recipients can be found at www.irrigation.org/awards.
Klauzer will receive the Industry Achievement Award during the general session at the IA’s 2018 Irrigation Show and Education Conference in Long Beach, Calif., on Dec. 6.