Inspection Services Blog

CDFA Accepting Pre-Proposals for 2025 Fertilizer Research and Education Program Grant Cycle

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) announces pre-proposals are now being accepted for the 2025 FREP Grant Program cycle. FREP’s competitive grant program funds proposals that advance fertilization and irrigation practices and minimize environmental impacts of fertilizing materials. The 2025 request for pre-proposals (RFP) includes several initiatives put forth by the department …


Research Update: Nitrogen and Irrigation Management for Pima Cotton

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: Pima Cotton Nitrogen Management, Uptake, Removal – Impacts of Varieties, Subsurface Drip and Furrow Irrigation Project Lead: Robert Hutmacher, Extension Specialist, University of California (UC), Davis, UC West Side Research and …


Nitrogen and Irrigation Initiative Provides Free Services to Growers

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 …


2025 Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) Grant Solicitation

Each year, FREP solicits proposals for outreach, education, demonstration, and research projects related to nutrient and irrigation management for California agriculture. Funding Categories Outreach, education, and demonstration: Projects focused on increasing the adoption of efficient nutrient and irrigation management practices and technologies through technical education. Research and demonstration: Projects investigating innovative practices and technologies and understanding processes related to nutrient …


Research Update: Using High Carbon Amendments to Reduce Winter Nitrate Leaching in Vegetable Rotations  

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: Immobilization of Nitrate in Winter-Fallow Vegetable Production Beds to Reduce Nitrate Leaching Project Leaders: Project Status: Completed in 2023 Project Location: Commercial farms located on the Central Coast …


Registration and Call for Posters Open for 32nd Annual FREP/WPH Nutrient Management Conference

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announces registration is now open for the 32nd Annual Nutrient Management Conference, hosted by CDFA’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and Western Plant Health (WPH). This year’s conference will be held October 29-30 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA, and includes a pre-conference tour of McFadden Woodchip …