Craig Borland named IA 2023 Industry Achievement Award recipient
FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA (July 31, 2023) — The Irrigation Association is excited to announce that Craig Borland, CIC, CID, CIT, CLIA, CLWM, of The Toro Company, has been named the recipient of the 2023 Industry Achievement Award. This award is the IA’s highest honor and recognizes an individual whose career demonstrates outstanding contributions to the advancement of the irrigation industry.
Craig Borland has dedicated 28 years to the irrigation industry as an employee of The Toro Company. He provides irrigation technical support in the areas of product engineering, legal, marketing and landscape drip. His experience, knowledge and feedback has helped develop or improve products critical to the industry’s growth, and he spends countless hours in the field troubleshooting, improving and making recommendations that shape product enhancements and provide insight to real-world conditions.
“Craig Borland’s generous dedication and passion for the industry is evident through the numerous hours he spends sharing his experience with those new to the industry, teaching new learners best practices and helping experienced irrigators discover emerging technology,” said IA CEO Natasha Rankin, MBA, CAE. “Throughout his time in the industry, he has influenced the careers of thousands of professionals and has been an unwavering advocate for the irrigation industry and the IA.”
Borland has served as a volunteer instructor for the Irrigation Association for the past 22 years and is a member of the IA Education Committee. His efforts to share practical, real-world knowledge and best practices to advance the IA’s education goals around water management and irrigation proficiency have significantly impacted the industry. He is widely viewed as one the top experts on irrigation and leads efforts to promote excellence in experience and education.
“My Dad taught me from a very early age to wake up, show up and put in as much effort as you possibly can each and every day. He was right,” Borland said. “Thank you to Toro for supporting my ambition to teach with the Irrigation Association and improve efficiency in our industry. I am extremely grateful to the IA for honoring me with the 2023 Industry Achievement Award. It has been a pleasure to work with and give back to such an important organization for our industry!”
Borland and the other 2023 IA award recipients will be recognized during the Irrigation Show and Education Week in San Antonio Nov. 27-Dec. 1. The 2023 IA awards are sponsored by Hunter Industries. More information about this and other IA awards and past recipients can be found at irrigation.org/awards.