{"id":2296,"date":"2024-10-07T08:01:24","date_gmt":"2024-10-07T15:01:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/?p=2296"},"modified":"2024-10-07T08:01:24","modified_gmt":"2024-10-07T15:01:24","slug":"nitrogen-and-irrigation-initiative-provides-free-services-to-growers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/nitrogen-and-irrigation-initiative-provides-free-services-to-growers\/","title":{"rendered":"Nitrogen and Irrigation Initiative Provides Free Services to Growers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Background<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to historical overapplication of nitrogen (N) fertilizers, California growers are facing increasingly stringent water quality regulations. This is especially true in intensively cultivated agricultural areas like the San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast region, where nitrate from fertilizers and other sources can be found in groundwater. For the communities in these locations that rely solely on wells for drinking water, the issue is of critical importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In response, the State and Regional Water Boards, through the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program, enacted N reporting requirements and will be considering N fertilizer application limits to achieve long-term groundwater nitrate reductions to meet drinking water standards. While more stringent regulatory requirements may take several years to impact growers, since adopting new practices can be a lengthy process, there is a pressing need to help growers improve their current N and irrigation practices at this time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Program Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Nitrogen and Irrigation Initiative (NII) is a collaborative partnership between the California Department of Food and Agriculture\u2019s (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP), University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) farm advisors, and UC Davis social scientists to help growers and crop consultants improve N- and irrigation-use efficiencies through targeted outreach and education. NII farm advisors and their staff are helping San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast growers improve management practices and adopt system improvements that reduce fertilizer and irrigation costs and meet water quality requirements without compromising yield or quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NII activities include free, individualized, on-farm consultations by advisors and their staff, farm trials, and field days that demonstrate N and irrigation best management practices (BMPs), educational events and workshops, and resources such as fact sheets, videos, and articles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since NII outreach began in 2022, the program has reached over 3,500 participants, providing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Program Evaluation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UC Davis team is assessing the impact of the program on grower learning and adoption of practices and providing feedback to improve project outcomes. Surveys collected during NII training events over the last two seasons show that participants are improving their understanding of N and irrigation practices (Figure 1). By providing information about practices that growers are familiar with, workshops are increasing participants\u2019 understanding and confidence in maintaining and improving these practices. Growers who are not currently using these practices are also indicating that they learned enough to implement a BMP within the following year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 1. Survey results from NII workshops show that growers are learning more about N and irrigation BMPs. Results are based on completed surveys by 179 participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accessing Free Workshops and On-Farm Consultations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NII farm advisors are hosting educational field days and talks, with most events held during the late fall, winter, and early spring. Topics vary by region and crop and may be sponsored by UCCE, local coalitions, commodity groups, or other collaborators. You can find more information about program activities on the NII website<\/a> (https:\/\/ucanr.edu\/sites\/nii\/<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm advisors are also available to provide free, on-farm consultations to growers and their teams. During a consultation, NII advisors will provide individualized recommendations and assist with implementing efficient BMPs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are interested in scheduling an on-farm consultation or have questions about the NII program and available resources, please call or email your local NII farm advisor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Background Due to historical overapplication of nitrogen (N) fertilizers, California growers are facing increasingly stringent water quality regulations. This is especially true in intensively cultivated agricultural areas like the San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast region, where nitrate from fertilizers and other sources can be found in groundwater. For the communities in these locations that rely solely on wells for …<\/p>\n

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These grants will fund four projects that will improve the efficiency and reduce the environmental\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "FREP Grant Program"","block_context":{"text":"FREP Grant Program","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/frep-grant-program\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":228,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/research-update-train-the-trainer\/","url_meta":{"origin":2296,"position":2},"title":"Research Update: Train the Trainer","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"August 15, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Research Project: Train the Trainer: A Nitrogen Management Training Program for Growers. Klassen, P. et al. Status: Second year of a three year study Issue: Growers who belong to California\u2019s Central Valley Water Quality Coalitions and who are in designated high vulnerability areas are under new Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "All"","block_context":{"text":"All","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Larry Schwankl, UCCE Irrigation Specialist, presenting to CCAs at a Train the Trainer course in November 2015.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/LS-trains-trainers-300x225.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":307,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/grower-training-sessions-to-certify-nitrogen-management-plans\/","url_meta":{"origin":2296,"position":3},"title":"Grower Training Sessions to Certify Nitrogen Management Plans","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"December 26, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Regulations adopted by the Central Valley Regional Water Board require growers to prepare an annual Nitrogen Management Plan (NMP) for land enrolled in the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program. If a growers\u2019 fields are located in high vulnerability areas, their NMPs must be certified. Certified Crop Advisers with Nitrogen Management Training\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nutrient Management Events"","block_context":{"text":"Nutrient Management Events","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/nutrient-management-events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Taking the grower training test","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Grower-training-300x234.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":242,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/research-update-new-fertigation-book\/","url_meta":{"origin":2296,"position":4},"title":"Research Update: New Fertigation Book","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"October 25, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Research Project: New Fertigation Book Status: Last year of a two year study Issue: There are many fertilizer publications and research papers. However, few of these resources focus on pragmatic chemical applications via irrigation water \u2013 especially in light of special California drought conditions. An older publication of FERTIGATION has\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "All"","block_context":{"text":"All","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Figure 4-9 in book. Example demonstration unit of a proportional injection unit with venturis, magnetic chemical flow meters, and modulated (meaning the opening is carefully adjusted, as opposed to pulsing) valves on the chemical line. The booster pump on the right-hand side pressurizes the water that flows through the venturis.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/CBinjectionunit-219x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":392,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/nitrogen-management-training-for-certified-crop-advisers\/","url_meta":{"origin":2296,"position":5},"title":"Nitrogen Management Training for Certified Crop Advisers","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"February 16, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"What: The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) and the Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) of CDFA are offering a one-and-a-half day Nitrogen Management Training to California Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs). Why: CCAs play an essential role in helping farmers comply with California\u2019s developing environmental regulations through\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nutrient Management Events"","block_context":{"text":"Nutrient Management Events","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/nutrient-management-events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2296","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5105"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2296"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2296\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2302,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2296\/revisions\/2302"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2296"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2296"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2296"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}