Inspection Services Blog

Author Archives: Brooke Elliott

2018 FREP/WPHA Conference: Save the Date and Call for Posters

Every fall, the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and the Western Plant Health Association (WPHA) host a two-day nutrient management conference. The agenda focuses on the latest FREP-funded research results and practical applications of fertilizing materials for agricultural production in the state of California. On October 23 and 24, 2018, the FREP/WPHA Conference …


Vacancies on FREP’s Technical Advisory Subcommittee

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is announcing three vacancies on the Fertilizer Research and Education Program’s (FREP) Technical Advisory Subcommittee (TASC). TASC reviews and recommends research and education proposals for funding and implementation to the department’s Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board. Funded through a mill assessment on the sale of fertilizing materials, FREP sponsors and facilitates research to …


Nitrogen Management Training for Certified Crop Advisers

What: The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) and the Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) of CDFA are offering a one-and-a-half day Nitrogen Management Training to California Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs).


Fertigation Short Course

What: A one-day short course on fertigation is being offered by the Cal Poly Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC) with funding from the Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP). The course covers new techniques in the control and application of fertilizers through irrigation systems, and strategies to comply with new nitrogen regulations in California.


Grants to Begin Funding January 2018

The Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is pleased to announce the award of almost $800,000 in grant funds to agricultural organizations and universities this year. These grants will fund four projects that will improve the efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of using fertilizer in California agriculture and will advance …


Grower Training Sessions to Certify Nitrogen Management Plans

Regulations adopted by the Central Valley Regional Water Board require growers to prepare an annual Nitrogen Management Plan (NMP) for land enrolled in the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program. If a growers’ fields are located in high vulnerability areas, their NMPs must be certified. Certified Crop Advisers with Nitrogen Management Training can certify these plans or growers can opt to self-certify.


2018 Request for Proposals

The Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) funds and facilitates research to advance the environmentally safe and agronomically sound use of fertilizer in California. The FREP grant program uses a two-phase annual process. Phase I, the submission of concept proposals, is now open! Each year, research priorities are released in December with the Request for Proposals (RFP). Proposals may focus …


Research Update: New Fertigation Book

Research Project: New Fertigation Book Status: Last year of a two year study Issue: There are many fertilizer publications and research papers. However, few of these resources focus on pragmatic chemical applications via irrigation water – especially in light of special California drought conditions. An older publication of FERTIGATION has been an extremely important reference for practitioners in California.  But …


Registration Now Open for 2017 FREP/WPHA Conference

Every fall, the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and the Western Plant Health Association (WPHA) host a two-day nutrient management conference. The agenda focuses on the latest FREP-funded research results and practical applications of fertilizing materials for agricultural production in the state of California. On November 1 and 2, 2017, the FREP/WPHA Conference will be held …


Research Update: Train the Trainer

Research Project: Train the Trainer: A Nitrogen Management Training Program for Growers. Klassen, P. et al. Status: Second year of a three year study Issue: Growers who belong to California’s Central Valley Water Quality Coalitions and who are in designated high vulnerability areas are under new Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP) requirements to keep “on farm” a certified Nitrogen Management …