We recently hosted our fourth annual Irrigation Training in Raleigh, NC, bringing together over 40 team members from across the company for three days of hands-on learning, skill development, and knowledge sharing. This event, which started with just 10 participants in its first year, has steadily grown into a key opportunity for irrigation professionals to enhance their expertise and raise the bar for performance across all branches.
“The goal of this training is to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to excel in the field and drive success at a high production level,” said Matthew Davidson, Regional Irrigation Manager. “Over the course of three days, attendees gained insights into irrigation installation and repair techniques, familiarized themselves with various industry-leading products, and participated in collaborative discussions to exchange ideas and best practices. By bringing these skills back to their home branches, participants will help strengthen Ruppert’s Irrigation service line and elevate service quality for our customers.”
The training kicked off with the highly anticipated Irrigation Olympics, a hands-on, team-based competition designed to test participants’ knowledge and practical abilities in a fun and engaging way. The event included five different challenges, each lasting 45 minutes, with a brief break between rotations to allow teams to reset and refocus.
The next two days focused on classroom-style learning, where participants deepened their knowledge of industry-leading products and honed their technical expertise. Sessions included hands-on training and repair demonstrations with popular brands such as Rainbird, Hunter, and Toro. Participants gained valuable insights into troubleshooting common issues, ensuring optimal system performance, and enhancing overall irrigation efficiency.
“Building this team has been my pride and joy, and watching each person learn and develop is what it’s all about,” said McKenna Rowles, Irrigation Manager. “Investing in training like this ensures we’re not just keeping up—we’re leading the way.”
In addition to technical training, a Town Hall session was held to encourage open dialogue and the exchange of ideas. “This forum provided an opportunity for attendees to discuss new approaches, share best practices, and explore innovative ways to improve irrigation operations across branches,” said Scott Schoffstall, Regional Irrigation Manager. “These collaborative discussions reinforce Ruppert’s commitment to continuous learning and team growth.”
The three-day event culminated in a challenging Irrigation Jeopardy lightening-round, with technical questions on irrigation devices and techniques. Congratulations to the Central Virginia team who scored hightest, winning them the Region of the Year trophy (for the second year in a row) for their in-depth knowledge of their craft. (Pictured left to right: Dylan Augenreich, John Barden, Ben Williams, Wesley Cochran, Bogart Hall, and David Walker.)
A highlight of the event was recognizing four team members who recently earned their Certified Irrigation Technician (CIT) certifications. Congratulations to Benjamin Williams, Timothy Whitley, Kevin Lowery, Daniel Graham, and Michael Thomas on this well-deserved achievement. Your dedication to developing your expertise is an inspiration to the entire team.
The success of this year’s Irrigation training reflects the ongoing commitment of our team members to expanding their skill sets and striving for excellence in their work. As this annual event continues to grow, we look forward to seeing the positive impact that these newly acquired skills will have across all branches. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this year’s training a success—we are excited to see how these efforts drive the Irrigation team to new heights!
We’d like to thank the following suppliers for supporting this event:
- SiteOne
- Smith Turf STI
- Weld On
- Rainbird
- Toro
- Cast Lighting
- Armada
- Hydro Point/ Baseline