CDFA grant awards include irrigation projects

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) awarded $1.69 million to support research, outreach and education to improve irrigation and nutrient management practices through its Fertilizer Research and Education Program. 

The funded research and outreach initiatives focus on reducing nitrate leaching and improving water quality. Two of the six projects will specifically focus on irrigation practices:  

• Amir Verdi of UC Riverside received $301,222 to develop irrigation and nitrogen best practices for cantaloupe crops in Southern California.  

• Aliasghar Montazar of UCCE (San Diego, Riverside and Imperial counties) received $401,639 to develop new water and nitrogen management practices for avocado crops that aim to increase yield and economic return while reducing nitrate contamination in groundwater. 

Over the past 35 years, the FREP Grant Program has awarded $32 million to fund more than 280 projects. The FREP Research & Project Database lists completed projects and outcomes, helping growers consider strategies for their operations.