July 2025 – OARS News

Collaborative Orchard Studies Improve Efficiency and Sustainability 

July 31, 2025July 31, 2025Posted in Producer Success StoryTagged Healthy Soils Program2 Comments

State and industry representatives visit Bowman Orchards.

Almonds are California’s #1 export crop for good reason. No place in the world has a climate better suited to consistent, high-quality almond production. Furthermore, the constricting labor market in the state has encouraged farmers to move towards almonds, with their relatively lower maintenance. With 1.5 million acres planted with almonds – out of no more than 9 million irrigated acres overall – it should be no surprise that California has also become the center of research into sustainable almond production. And it is heartening to know that this research has benefits for the management of other orchard crops, and for the efficacy of state programs.

It has increasingly made sense to combine research projects in the same orchards, describing the system in a more complete way than any single researcher can do. To this end, three collaborative projects stand out especially.

At Paramount Farms, near Lost Hills, a diverse team of researchers studied effects such as:

nitrate leaching
fertilizer off-gassing as the GHG nitrous oxide
fertilizer nitrogen (N) distribution within trees
remote sensing of N needs
water use
plant water stress
plant chlorophyll levels
irrigation techniques
nutrient cycles
measuring and predicting nut yields and qualities.

According to the researchers, this project defined the modern accepted guidelines for N management in Almond, including producers overseas. The work has changed industry practices and reduced fertilizer inputs and the impacts of excess N.

For more information about this project you can contact Patrick Brown, phbrown@ucdavis.edu.

At Bowman Farms, near Modesto, scientists have been focusing on long-term N management through testing and modeling of:

high-frequency (low-concentration) N fertilization through the irrigation system
N leaching into groundwater, especially as affected by distribution of irrigation water and N
soil permeability prediction systems
almond tree water use at different ages
groundwater recharge effects

According to the researchers, the Bowman long-term studies are longest-running to date for a single almond orchard.

For more information about this project you can contact Thomas Harter, thharter@ucdavis.edu.

At TriNut Farms in Stanislaus County, the emphasis has been on climate-smart practices, and particularly on combining (“stacking”) them, to identify synergies and tradeoffs. While assessing

whole-orchard recycling
biochar at planting
compost
cover crops,

Researchers are studying their effects on:

soil health
soil carbon
tree nutrition from the soil
biodiversity
orchard productivity
nutrient cycling
ground-truthing remote sensing of tree development with Ceres AI

According to the researchers, they are also monitoring commercial orchards across the Central Valley to see how these practices perform at scale.

For more information about this project you can contact: Sat Khalsa: sdskhalsa@ucdavis.edu.

The funding of these projects has come from various sources, including CDFA’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program, which is funded by an excise tax on fertilizer sales; federal Specialty Crop Block Grants, which are administered by CDFA; other federal sources; grower members of the Almond Board and Pistachio Research Board; and industry.

The completeness of the data gained from these orchards allows important insights. Models for predicting N management effects on the environment are being developed, including for use in state programs; growers are benefiting from more efficient fertilizer and water management; and other practices, such as Whole Orchard Recycling, compost application, and groundwater recharge, have been have been validated by new data, preparing them for more public support. The outcomes and findings of such projects can help form the decisions of growers who apply for HSP and SWEEP funding, as they design their future orchard management.

OARS staff will continue to visit these project sites and monitor results to design science-based improvements to our incentive grant programs.

Supporting Spanish-Speaking Farmers in Monterey County with Training on Water Use Efficiency

July 28, 2025July 28, 2025Posted in InformationalTagged State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program, Technical AssistanceLeave a comment

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), through its Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS), is helping California farmers grow more sustainably through the Water Efficiency Technical Assistance (WETA) program. This initiative funds local organizations to deliver critical on-the-ground support in three main areas:

Conducting distribution uniformity (DU) testing for irrigation systems,

Facilitating pump efficiency tests to assess irrigation pump performance, and

Developing and delivering training focused on water and nutrient management.

One standout example of this work is happening in Monterey County, where the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County (RCD MC) applied for and received WETA funding in 2022. As part of their proposal, RCD MC made a strategic choice to create educational resources for Spanish-speaking farmers and ranchers—a group that comprises nearly a quarter of all agricultural producers in the county, according to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture. The goal: ensure more farmers understand how to optimize water and nutrient use—two critical elements of sustainable, cost-effective farming.

One key resource developed under this initiative is a series of Spanish language training videos created to share knowledge on optimal water and nutrient management techniques, promoting farmer-to-farmer learning. In this video, Celsa Ortega, the owner of Induchucuiti Farms and a graduate of the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA), discusses her use of low-pressure, uniform drip irrigation systems and underscores the importance of maintaining high distribution uniformity across a field. Celsa’s real-world experience and insights into effective water use reinforce how small improvements can lead to big savings in water, energy, and overall efficiency.

The video, along with other training materials and assistance supported by the WETA grant, serves as a powerful tool to help growers:

Identify inefficiencies in irrigation systems,

And take action to improve system performance.

Without WETA funding, these services—including DU and pump testing—would likely have required out-of-pocket expenses from farmers or gone unperformed entirely, leading to unnecessary water and energy waste. By offering this assistance at no cost to the grower, RCD of Monterey County is helping farms become more resilient, productive, and sustainable.

While providing no-cost distribution uniformity and pump tests are core parts of the WETA program, developing training materials —especially in accessible formats like video—is valuable since it can reach a wide audience and have a lasting impact beyond the end of the WETA grant term.

RCD MC’s initiative demonstrates how tailored, inclusive outreach can drive meaningful change on the ground. By speaking directly to the needs of Spanish-speaking farmers, they’re not just improving irrigation systems—they’re strengthening the future of agriculture in California.

Investing in Impact: How the OARS Team Helps Deliver Climate Solutions on California Dairy and Livestock Farms

July 28, 2025July 28, 2025Posted in UncategorizedLeave a comment

The CDFA Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS) is dedicated to supporting California’s dairy and livestock farmers in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As proof of that, the CDFA’s Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) and Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) awarded nearly $25 million in April 2025 to support the implementation of manure management projects on farms across the state. But these awards represent more than funding—they reflect months of technical work, partnership, and a shared commitment to climate-smart agriculture.

Behind each award is a rigorous, multi-layered review process led by the dedicated OARS staff and program partners. This process is designed to be fair, transparent, and results-driven, ensuring that projects selected will lead to long-term, measurable methane reductions and maximize social, economic and environmental co-benefits, like enhanced nutrient management and alternative revenue streams from waste products.

It begins with administrative and financial reviews to verify that applications meet the department’s requirements. Then, experts from academia all over the country conduct a comprehensive technical review, evaluating proposed projects based on their potential to reduce methane emissions and achieve other benefits.

After that, OARS invites the input of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), comprising state and federal agency individuals with expertise in manure management, methane reduction measures, environmental impacts, and permitting in California, playing a crucial role of making sure the CDFA is selecting the best applicants within the competitive pool of candidates. In preparing the funding recommendations, OARS considers applicants’ past performance on previous grants, including their ability to complete projects on time, on budget, and deliver results. This careful and considered approach enables the selection of the most effective and impactful projects. Once the applicants are selected, the OARS team contacts each awardee and educates them on the next steps in the grant process, which are accomplished through emails, webinars, video calls, and engagement of OARS’ free-of-charge technical assistance providers when possible.

One important note: the ideal time for public input—especially regarding scoring criteria or program rules—is during the drafting of the Request for Grant Applications (RGA), before CDFA accepts applications. Once rules are finalized and the application period begins, CDFA is unable to change them. That’s why early engagement from the public, including producers, stakeholders, and advocacy groups, is crucial to shaping a program that serves all Californians.

By supporting manure management practices that reduce methane emissions, CDFA OARS is driving meaningful change on California’s dairy and livestock farms and supporting the state’s climate and environmental goals. These efforts are making California a better place to live and grow food, with cleaner air and water, and a more resilient agricultural industry. The state investments in climate-smart agriculture are paying dividends, and the benefits will be felt for generations to come. As the state continues to lead the way on climate action, the CDFA OARS remains committed to supporting innovative solutions that benefit the environment, the economy, and the people of California.

Author: Roberta Franco

CDFA Looks to Get Ahead of Invasive Agricultural Pests

July 28, 2025Posted in InformationalTagged OPCA2 Comments

California leads the nation in specialty crop production, growing more than 400 different crops across its diverse agricultural landscape. With such variety comes a complex web of pest management challenges that demand innovative, research-driven solutions. The OARS Office of Pesticide Consultation and Analysis is continuously working to support pest management that meets agricultural needs and state policy goals. One way we do that is through our Adaptive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Invasive Agricultural Pests grant program, which is currently accepting applications.

The program’s goal is to develop IPM program(s) or components that can be rapidly implemented when new invasive agricultural pests arrive and become established in California or when recently arrived invasive pests resurge or expand their range or host species. The program also supports research to refine and optimize existing IPM strategies to improve their effectiveness or exploring additional control measures against established invasive agricultural pests that drive extensive pesticide use but remain uncontrolled due to developed pesticide resistance. If you are researching innovative ways to control invasive pests, check out the Request for Proposals.

One previously funded project that recently completed is ‘A proactive approach to prepare for the invasion of Tuta absoluta into California’ lead by Dr. Ian Grettenberger. This project addressed the South American tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, a devastating pest of tomatoes of high concern to California. If T. absoluta invades California, there will be an immediate need for management information to address its spread and to protect tomato production. Because T. absoluta has been spreading through other parts of the world, there is the opportunity to adapt existing knowledge to California’s needs.

Management tactics tested include chemical management, biological control via indigenous and introduced natural enemies, and cultural management through variety resistance and plant breeding. Information on these methods will help growers and officials in the short-term and will help provide long-term solutions for T. absoluta in California.

Author: Kevi Mace

Supporting Biodiversity in Olives: A Regenerative Approach to Habitat Integration

July 28, 2025Posted in InformationalLeave a comment

At the International Olive Sustainability Conference, the Center for Regenerative Agriculture researchers demonstrate on-farm biodiversity through an interactive tour of a hedgerow funded by the CDFA Pollinator Habitat Program

Dr. Boyd highlights a leaf serving as habitat for natural enemies to global industry professionals

In September 2024, the UC Davis Olive Center hosted the International Olive Sustainability Conference (IOSC), gathering global experts in sustainable olive production. As part of the post-conference tours, participants visited California Olive Ranch (COR), one of the partnered growers under the American Olive Oil Producers Association (AOOPA). AOOPA received funding through the CDFA’s Pollinator Habitat Program to support pollinator habitat implementation across California olive farms. The tour featured a native hedgerow planted in April 2024 to enhance biodiversity and support beneficial insect communities.

Dr. Elizabeth Boyd, entomologist and professor, and Gerardo Tapia, graduate researcher pursuing a Master of Science in Regenerative Agriculture and supported by the Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems (CRARS) at California State University, Chico, led an interactive tour of the hedgerow. Using sweep nets and vials, they highlighted the presence of native pollinators and natural enemies, including parasitic wasps and predatory lacewings. Attendees had the opportunity to observe lacewing eggs within both the hedgerow and the adjacent olive grove. Additional beneficial insects observed included syrphid flies, Western European honeybees, and assassin bugs. A plant species list was distributed while participants engaged in discussion about the hedgerow’s influence on olive grove ecology, pollinator diversity, and regenerative management practices.

Green lacewing (Chrysopidae) observed on the surface of Olea europaea (olive) leaf.

Although olive trees are self-pollinating and do not depend heavily on insect pollinators, the hedgerow provides critical habitat for pollinators, beneficial insects, and wildlife. COR’s implementation of this hedgerow through the Pollinator Habitat Program reflects growing interest in ecological solutions that offer multiple on- farm benefits, including erosion control, soil health, and biodiversity.

Hedgerow site visited during the industry tour.
**Left**: intensive olive planting.
**Right**: established hedgerows.
Photo taken May 2, 2025.

In addition, Gerardo Tapia is conducting research for his master’s thesis to evaluate how hedgerows influence the functional composition of beneficial insect communities in olive groves. The study compares field margins with and without hedgerows using non-lethal, catch-and-release methods. Functional groups studied include pollinators, predatory insects, and parasitoid wasps.

These efforts highlight the value of habitat enhancement, even in low-pollinator-dependent systems. They also highlight the importance of collaborative approaches between producers, researchers, and agencies like CDFA in supporting a more resilient agricultural landscape!

By: Gerardo Tapia Jr and Elizabeth A. Boyd, Ph.D. (Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems)

Technical Assistance Program Builds Statewide Partnerships in Climate Smart and Conservation Agriculture

July 28, 2025Posted in UncategorizedLeave a comment

The OARS Technical Assistance (TA) Program is critical to realizing the OARS mission: “to use the best available science and knowledge from the agricultural community to design and implement practical solutions to California’s natural resource challenges that improve the environmental and economic sustainability of producing nutritious food, fiber, and energy.”

The CSA TA Grant Program plays a key role in reducing the barriers farmers and ranchers face in accessing OARS incentive programs—especially for small-scale producers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. By funding a statewide network of trusted organizations, OARS ensures that producers have access to direct, hands-on support that helps them build resilience and long-term sustainability in their operations.

What Does Technical Assistance Include?

Technical Assistance Providers (TAPs) are embedded within OARS’ Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP), State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) and Healthy Soils Program (HSP) to guide producers through every step of their participation. TAPs support farmers and ranchers as they:

Learn about available funding

Plan and design conservation or sustainability projects on their farms

Navigate and apply for OARS funding

Manage their grant awards

Implement and complete projects on the ground, fine-tuning to optimize benefits

In addition to one-on-one support, TAPs also conduct outreach and education in their regions, sharing success stories that highlight the real-world benefits of OARS-funded projects, and participating in the annual CDFA OARS Technical Assistance Conference.

While the program is designed to be robust, the amount of technical assistance a producer receives can vary depending on several factors, including program complexity, location, and the capacity of the TA provider. It’s also important to note that producers need to be proactive in communicating with their TA providers to get the most from the services available. Ideally, assistance is available for every stage shown in the OARS technical assistance framework (see figure).

Some programs, like those focused on methane reduction, may have less technical assistance built in—mainly because these projects are often engineering-heavy and the companies doing the installations typically handle most of the planning and implementation. However, producers involved in methane-related projects can still receive technical assistance for grant management and reporting through OARS-supported providers.

OARS represents a uniquely Californian approach to sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. By investing in on-the-ground support and tailoring it to meet the diverse needs of California’s agricultural producers, OARS is helping lead the nation in equitable and practical climate-smart farming solutions.

California Conservation Planning Partnership (C2P2) advances the OARS Technical Assistance Program Goals

July 28, 2025August 5, 2025Posted in InformationalTagged Technical AssistanceLeave a comment

CDFA and OARS continues its commitment to providing technical assistance to farmers and ranchers by streamlining technical assistance in California through the California Conservation Planning Partnership (C2P2) Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). Signed in 2022, this MOA brings together CDFA, the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), and the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD) as official partners dedicated to providing services to California’s farmers and ranchers. The C2P2 partners have committed to coordinate their technical assistance services for farmers, ranchers, and foresters implementing conservation and climate-smart agriculture practices on their land.

Over the last year, the C2P2 partnership has made great strides in advancing their mission through assembling a steering committee, supporting partner initiatives and meetings, and this year has initiated breakout working groups to dive deeper into coordinating services to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers. If you are interested in learning more about C2P2 or would like the opportunity to connect with C2P2 partners, take our short C2P2 Interest Survey!

Dr. Sara Garcia, OARS Technical Assistance Coordinator, represents CDFA’s OARS team in a C2P2 Panel Discussion at the 2024 CARCD State Conference

Author: Dr. Sara Garcia

Fernandes Family Farms: Four Digesters, One Legacy

July 15, 2025July 16, 2025Posted in Producer Success StoryTagged Methane ReductionLeave a comment

The Fernandes family has been dairying in California’s San Joaquin Valley since the 1920s, when Frank Fernandes came over from the Azores and started milking cows during the Great Depression. A century later, his grandsons continue to dairy and have expanded on multiple facilities— and now, they’re also producing renewable fuel from manure while capturing methane that would be emitted as a powerful greenhouse gas to the atmosphere.

Joe Fernandes passed the operation to his six sons: Joey, Greg, Gary, Frank, Jared, and Josh. Together, they manage four Tulare County dairies with anaerobic digesters funded by CDFA Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) —Fern Oaks (2019), Legacy Ranch (2017), LegenDairy Farms (2022), and Sousa & Sousa (2018, also known as Legacy Holsteins). All four dairies are based in Tulare County as a part of the Calgren Dairy Fuels Cluster, California’s first full-scale dairy pipeline network. In total, the four projects received $5.3 million through DDRDP. Greg runs Fern Oaks; Gary runs LegenDairy; Jared and Josh manage daily operations at Legacy Ranche, while Frank handles farming. Most digesters were built with Maas Energy Works. Joey also developed a separate project through a DDRDP grant with California Bioenergy.

The DDRDP grants helped Maas Energy Works, Calgren, and their partners deploy covered lagoon digester technology across multiple dairies, expanding California’s largest dairy biogas pipeline cluster, supporting the state’s investment in renewable energy infrastructure and meeting the state’s ambitious climate goals by significantly decreasing methane emissions from manure.

By offsetting upfront infrastructure costs and reducing risk for dairy owners, the funding made the project financially feasible. It also accelerated the adoption of low-emission technology and increased the supply of low-carbon, renewable transportation fuels.

How the Calgren Digesters Work

Each digester captures methane from manure, which is then sent to the Calgren facility where it is processed and upgraded into renewable natural gas (RNG). The RNG is either compressed onsite or piped into the utility grid. That RNG powers trucks and helps replace diesel with low-carbon fuel. Every upgrade serves a clear purpose: to run a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient farm.

Calgren employs an experienced team of operators and mechanics who visit the digester sites multiple times per week to conduct routine inspections and maintenance. This includes checking equipment functionality, inspecting the digester covers, and ensuring steady manure flow into and out of the system. Around the clock, Calgren’s operations team also monitors the entire digester network from a centralized control room, ensuring that biogas is continuously processed and reliably injected into the SoCalGas pipeline. Together, the family’s digesters are estimated to be reduced by over 550,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the next 10 years.

Farm Practices That Make a Difference

The Fernandes dairies focus on practical upgrades that improve animal welfare, cut GHG emissions, and keep the farm running efficiently. Depending on the site, those upgrades include:

Sand bedding for cow comfort and reuse
- Sand bedding improves cow comfort and hoof health. It’s also recycled, reducing costs and waste. (Used at all dairies except Sousa & Sousa)
Bagged silage to reduce feed losses
- All dairies use bagged silage instead of stacking it in piles. This reduces spoilage and shrinkage from ~15% to ~2%, preserving more of the harvested feed and improving overall efficiency.
On-farm solar
- Legacy Ranch 2, Fern Oaks, and LegenDairy have solar panel installations that provide renewable power, lowering utility bills and GHG emissions.
LED lighting upgrades
- Legacy Ranch and LegenDairy use LED lighting throughout their dairies—an energy-efficient alternative to traditional lighting that reduces electricity use.
Cow Manager health monitoring system
- LegenDairy uses Cow Manager®, a system of ear tags that tracks cow activity, eating behavior, rumination, and temperature to detect illness early and ensure timely treatment and management.
Healthy Soils Program participation
- Legacy Ranch 2 received funding from CDFA’s Healthy Soils Program to adopt conservation tillage, a practice that reduces soil disturbance, helping retain carbon and lower emissions.

As Gary Fernandes puts it, their approach comes down to lessons passed down from their dad, Joe:

“You take care of the cows, they take care of you.”
“Control the things you can control.” — Joe Fernandes

These values continue to shape how the family runs their dairies—one decision at a time.

What Other Dairies Can Learn

The Fernandes family didn’t do this alone. They partnered with Calgren Dairy Fuels, Maas Energy Works – and California’s incentive program, DDRDP – to share infrastructure and get technical support with digester operations. That teamwork helped lower costs and keep the projects sustainable long-term.

Their success shows that family dairies can:

Cut costs by sharing pipeline infrastructure
Protect the land and keep the business strong
Use California’s climate programs to fund real projects

California Climate Investments and GHG Reductions

The Fernandes family’s digesters represent a major step forward in climate-smart agriculture. Each was supported in part by grant funding from California’s Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP), administered by CDFA and funded through California Climate Investments (CCI).

In total, the projects received over $5.3 million in state grants—reducing greenhouse gases, improving local air quality, and supporting Tulare County’s agricultural economy.

“AMMP and DDRDP are part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that invests billions from Cap-and-Trade dollars into reducing greenhouse gas emissions, boosting the economy, and enhancing public health and the environment—especially in disadvantaged communities.”