FREP Website Resources
2025 FREP/WPH Nutrient Management Conference Recap
The 33rd Annual Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and Western Plant Health (WPH) Nutrient Management Conference was held in Fresno, CA, October 29-30, 2025. This year’s conference brought together attendees from academia, crop consultants, growers, industry representatives, researchers, and government personnel. This blog provides a quick recap of the event; for more detailed information, including summaries from presented FREP projects, …
Research Update: Adoption of Cover Crops to Minimize Residual Nitrogen Loss
Note: This is part of a Research Update series highlighting projects funded by the annual, competitive grant of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP). Project Title: Facilitating Grower Adoption of Cover Crop Nitrogen Scavenging to Minimize Residual Nitrogen Loss and Comply with the Irrigated Lands Water Quality Protection Program (Ag Order 4.0) …
Research Update: High-Frequency Low-Concentration Fertigation Improves Nitrogen Management While Reducing Nitrate Leaching to Groundwater
Note: This is part of a Research Update series that highlights projects funded by the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) Grant Program. Project Title: Irrigation and Nitrogen Management, Monitoring, and Assessment to Improve Nut Production While Minimizing Nitrate Leaching to Groundwater Project Leaders: Project Status: Completed Location: Modesto, CA Left image: Modesto site …
Parting Words from Retiring FREP Supervisor Mark Cady
Retiring FREP Supervisor Mark Cady (left) shown working in the field and (right) accepting a retirement proclamation from Jenna Leal, Inspection Services Division Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services branch chief. After a career spanning 11 years with the California Department of Food and Agriculture Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and over 25 years working at regulatory and …
Research Update: Certification and Distance Learning for Fertigation
Note: This is part of a Research Update series that highlights projects funded by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP). Project Title: Certification and Distance Learning for Fertigation Project Lead: Dr. Stuart Styles, Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC), Cal Poly State University in San Luis ObispoProject Status: Complete (3-year project) Project location: ITRC, Cal Poly State University …
Research Update: Site-Specific Fertilization Recommendations for Annual Crops
Note: This is part of a Research Update series that highlights projects funded by the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP). Project Title: Development of Site-specific Nitrogen Fertilization Recommendations for Annual Crops Project Lead: Daniel Geisseler, Cooperative Extension Specialist, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California, Davis Project Status: Complete Project location: Field trials in commercial …