FREP Website Resources
Category Archives: Research Updates
Research Update: Nitrogen Management for Industrial Hemp Cultivars
Note: This is part of a Research Update series that highlights projects funded by the California Department of Food and Agriculture Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) . Project Title: Nitrogen Response of Industrial Hemp Cultivars Grown for CBD, Essential Oils Project Lead: Robert B. Hutmacher, UC Davis Project Status: Complete (Three-year project) Project location: Davis and Five Points, CA Overview: This FREP-funded project …
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, …
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 …
Research Update: Certification and Distance Learning for Fertigation
Note: This is part of a Research Update series that highlights projects funded by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP). Project Title: Certification and Distance Learning for Fertigation Project Lead: Dr. Stuart Styles, Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC), Cal Poly State University in San Luis ObispoProject Status: Complete (3-year project) Project location: ITRC, Cal Poly State University …