Inspection Services Blog

Registration and Call for Posters Open for 30th Annual FREP/WPH Nutrient Management Conference

Registration is now open for the 30th annual Nutrient Management Conference, hosted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and Western Plant Health (WPH). This year’s conference will be held at the Wyndham Visalia, in Visalia, CA, October 26-27, 2022, and includes a tour of the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center in …


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 three 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, …


Research Update: Nitrogen Management for Container Plant Production

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) annual grant program. Project Title: A System Nitrogen Balance for Container Plant Production Project Leaders:  Lorence R. Oki and Bruno J.L. Pitton (University of California, Davis) Project Status: Complete Overview: This FREP-funded …


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 …


Registration Open for 2022 Irrigation and Nutrient Management Meeting

The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) is hosting the 2022 Irrigation and Nutrient Management Meeting virtually 7:55 a.m. to 12 p.m. (PT) February 23, 2022. Researchers from University of California, Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency, and Central Coast Water Quality Preservation Inc will discuss issues related to irrigation and nutrient management …


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 Accepting Concept Proposals for 2022 Fertilizer Research and Education Program Grant Cycle

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is now accepting concept proposals for the 2022 grant cycle. FREP’s competitive grant program funds research that advances fertilization practices and minimizes environmental impacts of fertilizing materials. The 2022 Request for Proposals (RFP) includes several initiatives put forth by the department to help effectively manage fertilizing materials in …


2021 FREP/WPH Nutrient Management Conference Recap

The 29th Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and Western Plant Health (WPH) Nutrient Management Conference was held in San Luis Obispo, CA, October 27-28, 2021. The conference had over 100 attendees including 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 …


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 …