The 32nd Annual Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and Western Plant Health (WPH) Nutrient Management Conference was held in Seaside, CA, on October 29-30, 2024. 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, check out the 2024 Conference Proceedings on the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) FREP webpage: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/frep/FREP_Conference_Proceedings.html
Pre-Conference Tour
The conference started off with a tour of McFadden Woodchip Bioreactor in Salinas. This bioreactor was constructed in a partnership between the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County (RCDMC) and Tanimura and Antle, with a Clean Water Act Grant from the State Water Resource Control Board. Tour participants learned about how the bioreactor treats agricultural drainage water from the Blanco Drain in Salinas. Approximately 10% of Blanco Drain flow is treated, reducing the nutrient pollutant load in the treated water by up to 75%.
Left: Adrienne Carter (RCDMC) describing the bioreactor at the pre-conference tour on October 28 in Salinas; right: Woodchip bioreactor at the Tanimura and Antle farms.
Day One
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross and Dr. Jerome Pier (QualiTech, LLC.)welcomed attendees to the conference, followed by a full day of presentations, workshops, and discussions facilitated by Dr. Pier.
The first half of day one included presentations on two FREP-funded research projects and three talks that focused on the importance of fertilizers and concerns about their uses, soil sampling techniques, and tips for vineyard nutrient management:
- The Importance of Fertilizers and Ag Efforts to Address Concerns About Their Use; Renee Pinel, Western Plant Health
- Irrigation and Nitrogen Management, Monitoring, and Assessment to Improve Nut Production While Minimizing Nitrate Leaching to Groundwater
Thomas Harter, University of California, Davis - Techniques to Minimize Nitrate Loss from the Root Zone during Managed Aquifer Recharge
Toby O’Geen, University of California, Davis - Soil Sampling Concepts and Laboratory Techniques
Benjamin Waddell, Fruit Growers Laboratory Inc. - Practical Tips for Vineyard Nutrient Management;
Dan Rodrigues, Vina Quest LLC
The second half of day one featured a panel discussion, two rotational workshops, and an evening networking reception:
- Panel: Nitrogen Removal Coefficients for Planning and Reporting: Where We Are and Where We Are Going
Moderator: Ken Cassman, Emeritus Professor of Agronomy; Panelists: Ali Montazar, University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE); Ken Miller, Formation Environmental; Richard Smith, UCCE; Sarah Lopez, Central Coast Water Quality Preservation, Inc. - Workshop 1: Calibration of Sensors: Ensuring Accuracy
Franklin Gaudi, Laurel AG and Water - Workshop 2: Collaborating with Small-Scale and Underserved Growers on Irrigation and Nutrient Management
The Resource Conservation District of Monterey County’s Ag Team
Panel discussion on Day 1 focused on nitrogen removal coefficients and its importance for planning and reporting
Day Two
FREP Supervisor Mark Cady welcomed conference attendees on day two and gave an update on current FREP activities, including the Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Training Program and the Nitrogen and Irrigation Initiative. Mark’s updates were followed by a morning of presentations facilitated by Dr. Karl Wyant (Nutrien).
Day two included presentations on nutrient management in coastal strawberries, biostimulants, nutrient management in regenerative agriculture, and a panel discussion on nutrient and irrigation management in organic production systems:
- Immobilization of Timely and Efficient Nutrient Management in Coastal Strawberry Production
Christopher Hight, Bonipak Produce, Inc. - Biostimulants Regulatory Update
Nick Young, CDFA’s Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program - Nutrient Management Considerations in Regenerative Agriculture
Eric Morgan, Braga Fresh and Proprietor at Soil Health Lab LLC - Panel: Nutrient and Irrigation Management in Organic Production Systems
Moderator: Margaret Lloyd, UCCE; Panelists: Jim Durst, Durst Organic Growers; Phil Foster, Pinnacle and Phil Foster Ranches; Javier Zamora, JSM Organics; Daniel Geisseler, UC Davis
Panel discussion on Day 2 covered practical nutrient and irrigation management approaches used by the speakers on their organic operations
Save the Date
The 2025 FREP/WPH Nutrient Management Conference will be held in Fresno, CA, on October 29-30.