The Irrigation Association (IA) has announced eight recipients of its 2026 Anthony W. "Tony" LaFetra Scholarship Program, sponsored by Rain Bird. The program awards scholarships to students pursuing education in irrigation, water management, agriculture, turfgrass science and related fields.

 
Scholarships range from $2,500 to $5,000 and recognize students who demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, water stewardship and efficient resource management.

Two recipients received the Anthony W. "Tony" LaFetra Scholar distinction, reserved for the program's top honorees. Andrew Fleet, a graduate student at Oklahoma State University, plans to research advanced filtration, water treatment and recycling technologies for irrigation and drinking water. Abraham Salomon, a doctoral student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, focuses on agricultural water and soil management, with an emphasis on improving irrigation efficiency and supporting agricultural producers.

The other recipients are Tyler Judkins of Las Positas College, Carter Peters and Caleb VanBooven of Kansas State University, Salvador Cabrera of Arizona Western College, Arlunya Sisomvang of the University of California, Davis, and Harmony Hulet of the College of Idaho.

IA CEO Natasha Rankin said the students represent the next generation of professionals addressing water challenges in communities and agricultural systems.

https://www.irrigation.org/IA/Tagged_List/Press-Releases-Folder/2026/IA_awards_scholarships_to_eight_rising_irrigation_professionals.aspx

As seen in LASN magazine, November 2026.