CDFA Debuts CCA Nitrogen Management Training
CDFA’s Fertilizer Research and EducationProgram (FREP) is excited to announce the debut of the NitrogenManagement Training Program for California certified crop advisers
(CCAs). Since October 2012, FREP has collaborated with the California Certified
Crop Adviser Program and UC Agriculture and Natural Resources to develop and
implement a voluntary nitrogen management curriculum specifically targeted for
California Certified Crop Advisers.
The goal of the program is to
facilitate CCAs’ understanding of sound nitrogen management practices and
increase their ability to make informed recommendations to growers, thereby
improving environmental performance relative to nitrogen management for crop
production. Developed by subject matter experts, the curriculum will address
the management of nitrates from plant nutrients to reduce unintentional
emissions in waters throughout the state, while emphasizing the economic and
environmental benefits achieved through improved management of agricultural use
of nitrogen and irrigation water.
Each training session will occur
over the course of two days. The first day will include presentations on course
objectives, the nitrogen cycle in crop production systems, nitrogen sources,
irrigation and nitrogen management, nitrogen budgeting, future resources, and a
discussion of local and statewide considerations. The second day will feature
concurrent sessions with emphasis on annual and perennial crops. Each session
will address current practices, the use of best management practices, and will
include a hands-on nitrogen management planning exercise, concluding with a
synopsis from both the annual and perennial crops subject matter experts.
The first course is already
underway this week in Modesto. Four other courses are scheduled to take place
in February and March throughout the Central Valley and the Central Coast area;
please see below for dates and locations. If you are a CCA interested in
attending, please pre-register to attend one of the sessions through the CAPCA Ed website at or by using the links
below. Due to the targeted nature of the curriculum for these courses,
attendance is limited to CCAs only.
The nitrogen management training
sessions are a part of FREP’s ongoing commitment to provide growers and CCAs
with decision-support tools, technical education, and access to research to
increase awareness of more agronomically sound use of fertilizing materials to
minimize the environmental impacts resulting from their use.
Since 1990, FREP has funded more
than 160 research projects focusing on California’s important and
environmentally sensitive cropping systems. For more information about this
project and other FREP initiatives, please contact FREP staff.
WOODLAND — February 18-19, 2014
Heidrick Ag History Museum – Event
Hall
FRESNO — February 25-26, 2014
Ramada Inn Fresno (University) –
Shaw Rooms A, B, C
SALINAS — March 5-6, 2014
Salinas Elks Lodge #614 – Main
Dining Room
TULARE — March 11-12, 2014
International Agri-Center –
Banquet Hall
Labels: California Ag News, CDFA Fertilizer Research and Education Program, Nitrogen Management Training for CCA
