CIT pioneer Ed Norum wins national honor

Edward Norum

Edward Norum, the first executive director of the Center for Irrigation Technology at California State University, Fresno, has been named 2004 Person of the Year by the Irrigation Association. He was honored Nov. 15 at the International Irrigation Show in Tampa, Fla.

The award, established in 1952, goes to individuals outside the industry who have made outstanding contributions toward the acceptance of sound irrigation practices. Norum continues to work for the Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT) as a consulting engineer and owns a consulting business.

"It's a passion for irrigation, supported by a strong work ethic, that has enabled Ed to make all the contributions he has to the industry," said Irrigation Association’s president-elect and current CIT director David Zoldoske of Fresno State.

Norum is the third Person of the Year from Fresno State. Dr. Winston Strong, plant science professor, won the honor in 1974, and Dr. Ken Solomon, former director of CIT, won in 1990. No other university has had as many honorees for Irrigation Association Person of the Year.

Zoldoske said that it was Norum’s vision that led to CIT’s irrigation equipment testing laboratory.

"He designed the first building, test fixtures and worked with the industry to develop the whole program," Zoldoske said.

Norum currently is involved in the development and building of the new International Center for Water Technology at Fresno State. The $60 million dollar venture is a joint project between water technology manufacturers in the San Joaquin Valley and Fresno State and will include two separate facilities, the first of which will begin construction in the spring of 2005.

His multidisciplined approach to irrigation engineering has been at the forefront of his pioneering efforts, including early experiments using subsurface drip on sugar cane.

Before settling in California, Norum also worked at Lockwood Corp., a center pivot manufacturer in Nebraska. His career includes extensive experience overseas, including work with the U.S. Agency for International Development on an irrigation restoration project in Jamaica. Norum has represented the Irrigation Association and the United States at the

International Organization for Standardization at meetings around the world, and has worked in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America.

Norum, a professional engineer, holds three patents for irrigation equipment and is active in the American Society of Agricultural Engineers as well as the U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage. He offers technical advice for Smart Water Application Technology, the Irrigation Association's program to gain acceptance for water-saving irrigation technology like weather-based controllers and moisture sensors.

Sharing the Person of the Year honor with Norum this year was Dr. Stuart Styles, director of the Irrigation Training and Research Center at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.