The money will be divided up between nine projects
By Diego Flammini, Farms.com
In an effort to research and examine solutions for air and water quality issues due to nitrogen fertilizers, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is awarding nine projects a total of nearly $2 million.
The projects received funding through the CDFA’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and will look to reduce the environmental impact of using nitrogen fertilizers in California. The projects will also help farmers understand and improve their own best management practices when considering the use of nitrogen fertilizers.
Nine projects will split close to $2 million in funding, including:
Train the Trainer: A Nitrogen Management Training Program for Growers
A series of educational events will be held where nitrogen management training will be provided to agricultural professionals. Those professionals will then be qualified to train growers on nitrogen management. Growers will be provided with the technical information they need to self-certify nitrogen management plans for their own farms.
New Fertigation Book
Fertigation is using irrigation systems to deliver fertilizers and is also the name of a handbook available to agricultural professionals in California. Money will be used to update the handbook with the latest practices and techniques farmers can use to improve their efficient use of nutrients.
Other initiatives include evaluating and demonstrating nitrogen and phosphorous management in organic leafy green vegetable production, and evaluating the multiple benefits of nitrogen management practices in walnuts.
Join the discussion and tell us your thoughts about the projects receiving funding from the California Department of Food and Agriculture.