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: Ventura County Nitrogen Management Training Program
Project Lead: Jodi Switzer, Farm Bureau of Ventura County
Project Status: Completed in 2025
Project location: Ventura County, CA
Overview: The Ventura County Nitrogen Management Training Program (FREP-funded project) provides tailored education to help growers in Ventura County optimize fertilizer use and protect water quality. This post shares the key achievements and outcomes reached over the course of this collaborative three-year project.
Background
The Ventura County Nitrogen Management Training Program was developed to provide growers with the tools, knowledge, and certification needed to meet evolving nitrogen management requirements. Under the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board’s Conditional Waiver (Order No. R4-2016-0143), growers in Responsibility Areas with nitrogen benchmark exceedances or nutrient TMDLs (total maximum daily loads) were required to develop certified Nitrogen Management Plans (NMPs), affecting roughly 70% of Ventura County’s irrigated acreage. While similar requirements have existed in the Central Valley for over a decade, Ventura County lacked a locally tailored training program aligned with regional crops, irrigation practices, and regulatory nuances. Recognizing both the regulatory need and the opportunity to improve nutrient management outcomes, the Ventura County Agricultural Irrigated Lands Group (VCAILG), administered by the Farm Bureau of Ventura County, adapted CDFA FREP’s Central Valley Grower Self Certification curriculum for Ventura County and provided bilingual, accessible training opportunities.
Approach
This project focused on updating, translating, and delivering a Ventura County–specific Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Plan (INMP) self-certification training program for growers. The team adapted the CDFA FREP Central Valley INMP curriculum to Ventura County crops, irrigation practices, and the Los Angeles Region’s Agricultural Order requirements. They also developed Ventura County–specific INMP templates and compiled nitrogen removal coefficients through a literature review and consultation with Regional Board staff. The project team held hybrid and in-person workshops, providing bilingual presentations, workbooks, and examination materials. The team translated all training materials, including presentations, workbooks, handouts, and exams, into Spanish and provided live interpretation during select training sessions. Additionally, the team supported the creation of a Spanish-language online self-certification module to expand access for Spanish-speaking growers. Finally, the project team evaluated success using multiple metrics, such as participation rates, exam outcomes, and overall grower engagement.
Outcomes
- Delivered six nitrogen and irrigation management workshops, six hours each, hybrid and in-person
- Trained 414 participants, with 301 taking the exam and 274 achieving certification
- Implemented bilingual materials and live Spanish interpretation, serving 23 Spanish-speaking participants
- Transitioned training program from Conditional Waiver/Nitrogen Management Plan (NMP) to Agricultural Order/Irrigation Nitrogen Management Plan (INMP) requirements
- Developed Ventura County-specific training workbook, templates, and nitrogen removal coefficients approved by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board
- Demonstrated effective knowledge transfer to growers, observing a high first-attempt exam pass rate (89%)
- Partnered with United Water Conservation District, enabling cost savings (~$8,500) and expanded remote access
Impacts
The 2023 Agricultural Order (R4-2023-0353) expanded applicability to all Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP)-regulated growers and introduced certified Irrigation and Nutrient Management Plans (INMPs) and Reports (INMRs). This increased the scope and complexity of compliance, highlighting the need for practical training and certification in Ventura County. The outcomes of this project equip growers to implement agronomically efficient and environmentally responsible irrigation and nitrogen management practices while maintaining compliance readiness.
This blog post presents only a selection of this project’s findings. To receive the complete final report for this project contact FREP at FREP@cdfa.ca.gov