California Ag Network

Tag: water use efficiency

  • Fertilization and Irrigation Strategies Tutorial Planned for Strawberry Growers

    UC Ag and Natural Resources is planning a Pre-Plant Fertilization and Establishment Irrigation Strategies for Strawberry Production

    Growers will gather May 21 at Crisalida Berry Farms in Oxnard to go over insights on establishing strawberries with drip tape versus micro sprinklers, irrigation choices and their influence on crop development, practical approaching to improving water and nutrient use efficiency, how to visualize treatments effects on plots and discuss events. Fertilizer strategies like banded, broadcast and no fertilizer will also be discussed.

    Spanish translation will be provided, along with refreshments. Participants including certified crop adivsers will receive two continuing education units.

  • CDFA Accepting Pre-Proposals for 2026 Fertilizer Research and Education Grant Cycle

    Sacramento, March 23, 2026 – The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is now accepting pre-proposals for the 2026 grant cycle. FREP’s competitive grant program funds proposals that advance efficient nutrient and irrigation management practices that minimize environmental impacts through research, demonstration, education and training.

    This year’s priorities include: outreach, education, and demonstration projects focused on increasing the adoption of efficient crop nutrient and irrigation management practices and technologies; evaluating challenges and barriers to adoption of management practices; the role of organic input materials in soil nutrient management; demonstrating and/or validating management practices that optimize nutrient and/or irrigation water use; filling knowledge gaps for nutrient and irrigation management in specific crops; understanding nutrient movement from the root zone; and mitigation strategies to reduce nutrient losses.

    California’s agricultural communities are diverse and many have historically lacked access to resources and information needed to help them successfully run their businesses. CDFA encourages projects that include demonstrable benefits for socially disadvantaged farmers and farm workers, including groups whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender discrimination.

    Applicants are invited to submit pre-proposals to FREP by April 27, 2026. Pre-proposals should be aligned with at least one of the identified funding priorities and use the provided pre-proposal template. Further information on the 2026 FREP RFP, including timelines, funding priorities, and templates are available on the Grant Program web page at www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/frep/CompetitiveGrantProgram.html

    All pre-proposals will be reviewed by the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board’s Technical Advisory Subcommittee (TASC). Applicants whose pre-proposals are selected by TASC will be invited to develop full proposals.

    Since 1990, FREP has funded more than 280 projects, investing over $32 million in research, outreach, and education projects focusing on irrigation and nutrient management practices in California. A database of completed and ongoing research is available on the FREP Research web page at www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/FREPresearch

    For more information, please send email inquiries to FREP@cdfa.ca.gov. — By the California Department of Food and Agriculture