FREP Website Resources
Register Now for 2026 California Plant and Soil Conference Feb. 3-4
The California American Society of Agronomy (CA ASA) invites students, professionals and interested parties to increase their knowledge of current topics of agronomic importance in California by attending the 2026 Plant and Soil Conference Feb. 3-4, 2026, at the Visalia Convention Center. Registration is now open through the conference website: (https://na.eventscloud.com/plantandsoilconference). CA ASA organizes this annual conference, supported by Cooperative …
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 …