Agricultural Irrigators of the Gallatin Valley
The mission of the Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators is to be the guardian and advocate of the Gallatin River System through the protection of its historically decreed water rights.
History
When settlers first arrived in the Gallatin Valley in the
The Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators was formed in 2004 to protect decreed water rights, continuing the heritage of working together, to be a thought leader on water policy issues and to be of service to our membership.
Knowledge
For four and five generations, Gallatin Irrigators have managed the canals that distribute that water throughout the valley. The flow of water throughout the valley nourishes crops and, by raising the level of the aquifer, helps to keep the valley green. Water conveyance is both science and art, and our irrigators have the skill and knowledge of how to direct the water and put it to beneficial use. We do so for our own livelihood but also to create food and maintain open space. We understand the rivers and streams and have generational knowledge of channel migration, ice jams, floods and droughts. We are here as a resource to our community in understanding irrigation and water conveyance.
Stewardship
We take our role as stewards of the land and of water seriously. As one of our directors has said, farmers were the first environmentalists, the first conservationists. Water is a unique and special resource entrusted to water rights holders by the State of Montana. We are proud members of our community and are dedicated to preserving the system of water conveyance that has served our community for over 150 years. Many of our great, great grandfathers built the two thousand miles of ditches that allowed agriculture to flourish. Some of those ditches now run through subdivisions but the responsibility of maintaining them remains with the decreed water rights holders. The Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators is here to lead with integrity in water stewardship.
Community
Agriculture is the foundation of our community here in the Gallatin Valley. It is the reason we enjoy the open space that makes our home so special. The ditches themselves help create our lush and productive landscape during the summer months of irrigation. Gallatin Irrigators work with the West Gallatin Water Commissioner to keep in-stream flows for wildlife. We are all in this together and can join in partnership to solve water issues as they arise.
We work locally to educate the municipal and county planners about the benefits of the network of ditches that runs through our valley. Our Association is a community of people who care about water and land. We actively engage with various other non-profits and community members to shape the future of the Gallatin Valley to preserve open space and ensure that the water flows.
Stewardship
We take our role as stewards of the land and of water seriously. As one of our directors has said, farmers were the first environmentalists, the first conservationists. Water is a unique and special resource entrusted to water rights holders by the State of Montana. We are proud members of our community and are dedicated to preserving the system of water conveyance that has served our community for over 150 years. Many of our great, great grandfathers built the two thousand miles of ditches that allowed agriculture to flourish. Some of those ditches now run through subdivisions but the responsibility of maintaining them remains with the decreed water rights holders. The Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators is here to lead with integrity in water stewardship.
Community
Agriculture is the foundation of our community here in the Gallatin Valley. It is the reason we enjoy the open space that makes our home so special. The ditches themselves help create our lush and productive landscape during the summer months of irrigation. Gallatin Irrigators work with the West Gallatin Water Commissioner to keep in-stream flows for wildlife. We are all in this together and can join in partnership to solve water issues as they arise.
We work locally to educate the municipal and county planners about the benefits of the network of ditches that runs through our valley. Our Association is a community of people who care about water and land. We actively engage with various other non-profits and community members to shape the future of the Gallatin Valley to preserve open space and ensure that the water flows.
Gallatin Irrigators keep the River wet and the Valley Green
Irrigators on the West Gallatin work with the Water Commissioner to maintain instream flows for fish and recreation. Irrigation recharges the aquifer, raising the water table and allowing plant life throughout the valley to flourish.
Members are the Backbone
Communication and participation from all
What’s AGAI up to?
Stay in the loop with regular updates from the AGAI team regarding current events, news and legislative updates.
Newsletters
July 2019 Newsletter
Reflections from the PRESIDENT: With the ongoing mission to be guardian and advocate of the Gallatin River System through the protection of historically decreed water rights the current AGAI Board members are actively recruiting new committee members and Board...
Legislative News
2019 Legislature – End of Session Update
Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators Session End Legislative Update May 13, 2019 by Krista Lee Evans 2019 Legislature Adjourns Montana's 66th Legislative session adjourned sine die on April 25th, 2019. This session was active with many water quantity...
Current Events
Save the Date – 2019 Annual Meeting
It's that time of year again. AGAI's annual meeting is right around the corner. December 4, 2019 at Stockman Bank in Manhattan, MT. Read this document for all the details about this year's meeting. We hope to see you there! Click here to read information about the...
Thanks to our 2019 sponsors:
