Register for the 2026 Drainage Workshop
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EmailGet hands-on training of the All-New DrainTool. Gain profit, yield, income and ROI insights from drainage design.
Learn from university specialists and drainage industry professionals at the 2026 Drainage Workshop on March 3-5, 2026, sponsored by Michigan State University Extension in partnership with Michigan Land Improvement Contractors of America.
Why should you attend the drainage workshop?
Gets hand-on training of the All-New DrainTool — gain insights into profit, yield, income, payback period and return on investment (ROI).
We offer a modern, user-friendly approach to drainage design using online tools and hands-on exercises.
Get practical solutions to real-world drainage challenges, such as main sizing when splitting laterals and submerged outlet issues.
See a live demonstration of drainage design software and a hands-on demo of proper pipe connections (photos available).
Quotes from one-year follow-up attendee survey
Attendees of the 2024 workshop had this to say one year later:
- "Become a better trusted advisor to my customers."
- "We use tile contractors to do large tiling projects. The course has enabled me to be more involved in the planning process and to look at different options."
- "We do smaller tile projects and repairs. The course has enabled me to do a better job planning and getting those areas corrected."
- "As a landowner, it gave me the tools to improve my existing drainage system."
- "Provided a detailed, step-by-step process of the application of the products we sell. Helped me understand some of the issues contractors deal with that may play a pivotal role in the contractors' bottom line."
See photos of the 2025 drainage workshop.
What will you learn at the 2026 Drainage Workshop?
The drainage design process will include basic design considerations and a step-by-step design procedure. Other topics include:
- Soils and water movement
- Surface drainage (shallow ditches, grassed waterways)
- Subsurface drainage principles and economics
- Pipe selection: 4-row vs. 8-row, sand-slot vs. knitted-sock
- Creating contour maps with DrainTool
- Step-by-step design procedure
- Legal considerations in drainage
- Using the All-New DrainTool to maximize profit
- Identifying drain sedimentation issues
- Properly sizing the main collector pipe to avoid underperformance
- Determining if upsizing the main is needed when splitting laterals
- Installation tips and safety
- Controlled drainage design
- Benefits of conservation drainage (e.g., blind inlets)
- Live demonstration of drainage design software
Registration
Register by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 22 for a 20% discounted price of $320. Normal registration price will be $400 starting Feb. 23. Registration deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 26.
Contact ghane@msu.edu for any questions.
