Inspection Services Blog

Category Archives: All


2020 Nutrient Management Conference Q&As – Session 1: Sampling Techniques and Analyses

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and Western Plant Health Association (WPHA) presented their annual Nutrient Management Conference as a webinar October 28-29. This series of five blog posts links to each conference session and highlights the most common questions asked by the conference audience and presenters’ responses during the Q&A sessions. …


Now Accepting Proposals for 2021 Fertilizer Research and Education Program Grants

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is now accepting proposals for the 2021 grant cycle. FREP’s competitive grant program funds research that advances fertilization practices and minimizes environmental impacts of fertilizing materials.  The 2021 Request for Proposals (RFP) includes several initiatives put forth by the department to help effectively manage nitrogen fertilizers in agriculture.   This year’s …


Research Update: Soil Nitrate Quick Tests to Improve Nitrogen Fertilization in Strawberry Ranches

Note: This is part of a Research Update series that highlights projects funded by California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) grants. Project Title: Promoting the adoption of soil nitrate quick tests by Spanish-speaking operators on strawberry ranches in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties Project Leader: Gerry Spinelli, Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County Project …


Research Update: N management case studies: Utilizing N-rich reference zones in California small grain crops

Story from UC Small Grains Blog Note: This is part of a Research Update series that highlights projects funded by California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) grants. As the fall planting season begins, we’d like to share recently developed case studies detailing nitrogen (N) management actions and crop productivity outcomes in several small grain …


Registration Now Open for 28TH Annual FREP/WPHA Nutrient Management Conference

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and the Western Plant Health Association (WPHA) announce registration is now open for their 28th annual nutrient management conference October 28-29. This year’s conference will be an online webinar. The conference brings together industry professionals and academic researchers to learn about and share the latest research …


Research Update: Evaluation of Biochar

Note: This is part of a Research Update series that highlights projects funded by the Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) annual grant program. Project Title: Evaluation of Biochar for On-Farm Soil Management in California Project Leaders: Danielle Gelardi, Sanjai J. Parikh, William R. Horwath, Daniel Geissler, Toby O’Geen, Kate M. Scow (UC Davis), Milt McGiffen (UC Riverside), Michelle Leinfelder-Miles (UC …