The Irrigation Association announced that during this health crisis, they have been working, and will continue to work, on advocacy efforts for the turf-landscape irrigation industry, as well as the agricultural industry.

 
This includes promoting, to the Department of Homeland Security, the inclusion of commercial and residential irrigation as part of critical infrastructure as defined in the document "Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: Ensuring Community and National Resilience in COVID-19 Response." State governments that are issuing executive stay-at-home orders are using this document as a reference point in determining which workers can continue to work. With landscapers being identified as part of "critical infrastructure," their value in supporting the fabric of our society is being validated, according to the association.

The IA stated, "Never before has our nation been tested to the length it is today. The IA's staff and leadership want our members to know that we will be here with you now and throughout this public health crisis. We look forward to the time when we can celebrate our industry together - how we helped each other and how our industry not only helped our food supply stay safe and secure but also gave our customers the chance to enjoy their outdoor spaces. Never before have we truly seen the value of what our industry provides to our society."
www.irrigation.org/COVID-19-resources