FREP Website Resources
Category Archives: FREP Grant Program
CDFA Awards $1.69M for Research, Outreach and Education Projects to Improve Irrigation and Nutrient Management Practices
SACRAMENTO, February 19, 2026 – CDFA’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) announces $1.69 million in grant funding for six projects to advance California growers’ understanding and implementation of improved nitrogen and irrigation management practices. Benefits of the awarded projects include increased water quality, reducing nitrate leaching into groundwater, optimizing nitrogen management in organic cropping systems and more. This funding is being …
Research Update: Online Training Provides California Certified Crop Advisors with Nitrogen Management Expertise
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) annual grant program. Project Title: Next Generation N Management Training for Certified Crop Advisors Project Leaders: Sat Darshan Khalsa, Professional Researcher, UC Davis; Erik Porse, Director, California Institute for Water Resources; Marina Vergara, …
CDFA Welcomes New FIAB TASC Members
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board’s (FIAB) Technical Advisory Subcommittee (TASC) welcomes two new members and one reappointment for 2026. The subcommittee serves as an expert scientific panel on matters concerning efficient use of fertilizing materials and irrigation water for CDFA’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP). TASC members assist in setting project priorities …
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 …