California Department of Food and Agriculture

FREP: MANAGING AGRICULTURAL NITROGEN
TECHNICAL FORUMS

With a new joint partnership the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program and the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources California Institute for Water Resources (CIWR) are holding "Managing Agricultural Nitrogen Forums." The focus of these forums are twofold. First, to scientifically address nutrients by bringing the scientists to the regions of the State to share their applied research findings with growers and crop advisors to provide immediate nutrient management tools. Secondly, in an effort to bridge the knowledge gap between both the academic and policy professionals on the issues surrounding nutrient management.

In the summer of 2012, the CDFA and CIWR held two forums titled "Managing Agricultural Nitrogen" in Sacramento and Tulare. The free forums were open to the public and were geared toward growers, dairy operators, agency representatives, agricultural commissioners, policymakers, and other concerned community members. The goal of these forums was to discuss the role of policy in nitrogen management, explore solutions to nitrate in groundwater, and cover the need for additional research and education.

In 2013, these forums will continue to address the emerging scientific and technical needs of growers.