The Irrigation Association (IA) has announced two recipients of its 2026 awards, recognizing both an individual career of industry leadership and an innovative landscape irrigation project that advances sustainable water management.

 
Steve Hoveln was posthumously named the recipient of the 2026 Industry Achievement Award, the IA's highest honor recognizing outstanding career contributions to the irrigation industry. During more than four decades in the profession, Hoveln helped advance irrigation technology through leadership roles in contracting, distribution and product development at Hunter Industries, where he served as senior product manager for rotors and valves. He was also widely recognized for mentoring industry professionals and supporting humanitarian initiatives.

"The Irrigation Association is proud to honor Steve Hoveln with the 2026 Industry Achievement Award in recognition of his extraordinary career and lasting contributions to the irrigation industry," said IA CEO Natasha Rankin. "Steve helped shape the industry through his technical work, his generosity as an educator and mentor, and his commitment to service."

The IA also named the Frontier Family Park Project in Queen Creek, Arizona, as the recipient of the 2026 Vanguard Award - Landscape. Led by J2 Design in partnership with the Town of Queen Creek, the 85-acre park features an advanced irrigation system that integrates smart controls, multi-point flow monitoring and a high-capacity pump station to improve water efficiency and long-term performance.

"Frontier Family Park is a strong example of what thoughtful planning and collaboration can deliver for a community," Rankin said. "Their work shows how modern irrigation design, supported by strong partnerships, can help communities create public spaces that are both functional and responsible with water."

The 2026 IA award recipients will be recognized during the 2026 Irrigation Show and Education Week, Dec. 7-10, in Las Vegas.