For information or to sign up for a irrigation license exam training class March 8 & 9, click this link: License Exam Training Class

 
Friday, February 26th 1:00-3:00pm Wilson, NC 
Wilson Agricultural Center 1806 SW Goldsboro St.
http://wilson.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=contact directions

Tuesday, March 2 11-12 pm Pinehurst, NC
Moore Co. Agricultural Center, 707 Pinehurst Ave. Carthage, NC 910-947-3188;
 http://moore.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=contactHYPERLINK “http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=34222176&msgid=358430&act=LYD6&c=524530&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fmaps.yahoo.com%2Fmap”

 Monday, March 15 1-3 pm Wilmington, NC
New Hanover Arboretum Auditorium, New Hanover Co. Extension
6202 Oleander Dr. Wilmington, NC 28403
http://newhanover.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=contact directions

Thursday, March 18 6:30-8:30 pm
Bo Thomas Auditorium - Blue Ridge Community College
180 West Campus Dr. Flat Rock, NC
http://www.blueridge.edu/about_brcc/map2campus.php directions

Blue Ridge Community College is a tobacco free campus

For details use this link: http://ncgreenindustrycouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/invitation-front.pdf

To find our more information on HB 1408 - NC Contractor’s License Bill, visit this site: http://www.nclandscapecontractorslicense.com/index.html

You can also find this link under “Industry Resources” and “Inside the GIC” on our home page.

“The first town hall meeting to discuss the details of the proposed landscape contractor license legislation was held at the NCNLA Summer Green Show in Greensboro with nearly 70 people in attendance. Following that meeting a webcast was held on October 6th to have comments and discussion with cooperative extension agents across the state. Dr. Barbara Fair anchored the webcast with GIC, NCNLA and NCLCRB board members participating. Participating on site in addition to Dr. Fair were Dr. Tom Monaco, Mark Peters, Daniel Currin, Doug Chapman, Mark Clark, Ross Williams and Scott Makey. The next town hall meeting will be held at the Green & Growin Show in January followed by regional town hall meetings across the state during January, February and March. Your comments and concerns are important as we work toward crafting this important legislation for the landscape industry. Questions or comments please contact GIC Legislative Committee Co-Chair Mark Peters 336-669-2399.” 

IRRIGATION SEMINARS

Hosted and Conducted byGREENWAVE ASSOCIATES

JOHN SULLIVAN & WES MAXWELL  – WWW.GREENWAVEASSOCIATES.COM

 November 5:  IRRIGATION INNOVATIONS

-Discuss all manufacturers’ latest advancements in irrigation technologies.

November 10: SPORTS FIELD IRRIGATION

-Proper design, troubleshooting, controller scheduling and field additions.  A must for all sports field professionals.

November 12: 2-WIRE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

-Straight forward approach to 2-Wire installations and troubleshooting methodology.

Seminars are approved by the NC Irrigation Contractors Licensing Board for 4 hours of CEUs, and are accepted by the Irrigation Association for certification CEUs.

All seminars to be held at Belmont Abbey College, located in Belmont, NC (Exit 26 off of I-85; 4 Miles West of I-485).  Classes are from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm, with lunch provided.

Cost is $75 per seminar or all three for $175.

TO REGISTER CALL 704-600-5538 OR 704-600-5539

OR EMAIL US AT EDUCATION@GREENWAVEASSOCIATES.COM                       

Here are some points and comments from our executive board regarding the new law for separate irrigation meters.

No green industry org.s’ opposed this legislation, including municipalities and here are some reasons why:

 1.       Many municipalities across NC have been requiring or recommending separate meters for years others have not. Granted, impact fees, meter installation fees and backflow requirements have continued to rise in price but what hasn’t. As far as the legislation was concerned, the state and municipalities must know where the water is being used. There is no other factual way to know other than to meter. Remember that in the past outdoor water use has been grossly overstated by municipalities and the state. This wasn’t a quick light switch approach. The debate over water issues carried on for nearly a year from mid 2007 through 2008, all of this 2009 legislative session and in fact it still continues to this day and will continue for several more years until the state is satisfied that our water policies and practices are in balance with our supply. 

2.       Investment in an irrigation system must include an analysis of return on investment regardless of where you live and what the fees are. We have to sell the benefit and value of investing in irrigation, the efficient use of water to establish and preserve landscaping and the resulting appreciation in property value. 

3.       How can we as the GIC possibly address what each individual municipality charges as a water impact/meter fee? This is a local political issue. What is the local community willing to accept? 

4.       As far as a rallying cry for membership to support opposing or trying to overturn this rule…we have tried to engage green industry businesses across the state and John Deere was on the team at the time and still is. There is no going back, what is the alternative? I hope this offers a few other points to consider. We see this more about the municipalities fees than the law itself. It will be up to local communities challenging how they will be priced.

Upcoming training and exam dates:  

April 27th & 28th - 8 AM to 5 PM both days
Barnes, Ebron, and Taft Building, Greenville Parks & Recreation
421 Greenfield Blvd, Greenville, NC  27834
On-site registrations for the training welcome!
Irrigation Association Certification Exam - April 29th (Exam registration CLOSED)April 29th & 30th - 8 AM to 5 PM both days
Smith Turf & Irrigation
4355 Golf Acres Drive, Charlotte, NC  28208
On-site registrations for the training welcome!
Irrigation Association Certification Exam - May 1st (Exam registration CLOSED)May 20th & 21st
Location TBA
Raleigh, NC
NCICLB Exam - May 22nd (Apply for license at www.nciclb.org)August 11th & 12th - 8 AM to 5 PM both days
Greensboro Special Events Center, Meeting Room 1
1921 W. Lee Street, Greensboro, NC 27403
NCICLB Exam - Not date set (Apply for license at www.nciclb.org)

This training is meant to be a review of the material in the recommended manual, Irrigation Contractor Workbook, Irrigation Association, revised 2008 and the soon to be published best management practices from the NCICLB .  The applicant is not required to take the training class prior to taking the exam. There are two recommended tracks for preparing for the exam.  While either will help get you properly prepared, it is imperative that you study the manual a minimum of 30 days prior to the exam.Track #1
Take the two day training class at least 30 days before the exam to get an overview and discover the areas you need to concentrate your preparation efforts.  Then conduct self-study between the class and your confirmed exam date.Track #2
Apply for your license and receive an exam date, then register for the two day training that is held right before your confirmed exam date.  It is critical to get the manual from the IA and study for at least 30 days before you take the training class.  In this way you can use the class to clear up any weak areas you discovered with your self-study and get a general review the two days before the exam.

For additional information regarding these upcoming classes, visit the Carolinas Irrigation Association website at www.carolinasirr.org or contact Ron Gelvin,  at 919-557-5474 or email rgelvin@embarqmail.com

For information about becoming a licensed irrigation contractor in North Carolina and applying for the exam, please visit the North Carolina Irrigation Contractor Licensing Board website at www.nciclb.org

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