On the 8th November 2002 the Young Irrigation Network carried out it's inaugural field tour. Over 90 young people from the network braved heatwave conditions to travel to Gunbar and Hillston to view the Barkworth Olive Grove, Twynam's Merrowie Cotton enterprise and Rennie's potatoe farm and processing plant. The day was generously sponsored by Netfim Australia and Quiprite.

On the 8th August 2002 the Network was launched at a dinner in Griffith. Federal Member for Riverina Kay Hull made the official launch and over 100 guests attended the dinner. Guest speaker for the evening Shane Toohey, entertained guests with an amusing insight into his experiences in skiing the 7 highest slopes in the world.

Key sponsors for the dinner included gold sponsors MIA Rural and CSIRO Land and Water with silver sponsors including Cropsol, Choice Home loans and Sunrice and bronze sponsorship from Peppin Financial Planners, Training Improvements and Quiprite.

Immediately prior to the launch dinner on the 8th August 02, the network staged a water policy workshop for network members. Over 70 young people participated in the afternoon session which included presentations from Regional Directors for DLWC for Murray (David Harriss) and Murrumbidgee (Warwick Ford), Murrumbidgee Horticulture Council (and Murrumbidgee Customer Services Committee Member) Peter Dickie, Ex Rice Growers Cooperative President Terry Hogan and CEO of Murray Irrigation Limited, George Warne.

Participants were given an excellent overview of the Water Sharing Plan development process in the Murray and Murrumbidgee as well as some of the key industry issues.