Inspection Services Blog

Author Archives: Nicole Nunes

CDFA ANNOUNCES VACANCIES ON FERTILIZER INSPECTION ADVISORY BOARD’S TECHNICAL ADVISORY SUBCOMMITTEE

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is announcing four vacancies on the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board’s (FIAB) Technical Advisory Subcommittee (TASC).  This subcommittee serves as an expert scientific panel on matters concerning efficient use of fertilizing materials and irrigation water. TASC members assist in setting research priorities for the FREP Grant Program, …


New FIAB TASC Members 2023

The Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board’s (FIAB) Technical Advisory Subcommittee (TASC) is welcoming two new members this year. The subcommittee serves as an expert scientific panel on matters concerning efficient use of fertilizing materials and irrigation water. TASC members assist in setting project priorities for the Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) grant program, review and recommend research and outreach proposals …


CDFA AWARDS $650,000 FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROJECTS TO IMPROVE IRRIGATION AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is announcing $653,067 in grant funding for three projects to advance California growers’ understanding and implementation of improved nitrogen and irrigation management practices.This funding is a result of the 2022 cycle of the competitive FREP Grant Program. Summary of Funded Projects:  Developing Tools and Information on Irrigation …


California Plant and Soil Conference Offered February 7-8 in Fresno

The 2023 California Plant and Soil Conference will be held February 7-8 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Fresno. The conference is organized by the California Chapter of the American Society of Agronomy (CA ASA), which launched the annual event in 1972. This year, the CA ASA board worked with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Support Unit …


UC Nursery and Floriculture Alliance Host Virtual Q&A Session March 2 about Nitrogen Management in Commercial Greenhouse and Nursery Operations

The University of California Nursery and Floriculture Alliance (UCNFA) is holding an online Q&A session March 2 focused on nitrogen management in commercial greenhouse and nursery operations. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of Don Merhaut, Bruno Pitton, and Gerry Spinelli, specialists in nursery and floriculture production. Who Should Attend? Greenhouse and nursery growers with questions about nitrogen …


February 1-3 California Plant and Soil Virtual Conference provides continuing education units about interrelationship of plants, soil, and the environment

The 2022 California Plant and Soil Conference will be held virtually February 1-3, 2022. The conference is organized by the California Chapter of the American Society of Agronomy (CA ASA), which launched the annual event in 1972. Registration is now open through the conference website (https://calasa.ucdavis.edu/). The registration fee is $90 until January 25, 2022, after which it increases to …


CDFA Awards $4.14 Million for Research and Education to Improve Nutrient Management Practices

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is announcing $4.14 million in grant funding to agricultural organizations and universities. The funding includes $3 million for the University of California, Agricultural and Natural Resources (UCANR) to conduct targeted nitrogen and irrigation education and training in California’s Central Valley and Central Coast and $1.14 million for …


CDFA Seeking Trainers for Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Training Program

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is looking for qualified individuals to serve as trainers for the Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Training Program. This training program is designed for Central Valley growers interested in self-certifying their Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Plan (INMP) Worksheets. Who is eligible to be a trainer? Individuals qualified …


CDFA Announces Vacancies on Fertilizer Research and Education Program’s Technical Advisory Subcommittee

The California Department of Food and Agriculture is announcing three vacancies on the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board’s (FIAB) Technical Advisory Subcommittee. This subcommittee serves as an expert scientific panel on matters concerning plant nutrition and nutrient management related to fertilizing materials use. It reviews all research and education proposals for the annual Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) Grant Program and recommends …


Save the Date!

Save the date! October 27-28, 2021, is when the annual FREP/WPH Nutrient Management Conference will be hosted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) in collaboration with Western Plant Health (WPH). The conference agenda focuses on the latest FREP-funded research results and practical applications of fertilizing materials for agricultural production in the …