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Category Archives: Fertilizer

Secretary Ross celebrates biological alternatives in agriculture at 2026 Salinas Biological Summit

June 26, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross and CDFA staff attended the 2026 Salinas Biological Summit in Salinas June 23-24, joining attendees from around the world to discuss the transition of agriculture from traditional chemicals to biological alternatives, such as for pest management and fertilizing materials. In her opening remarks, Secretary Ross welcomed participants and highlighted the power of partnerships and shared purpose. …

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Posted in CDFA Inspection Services, Climate Change, Climate Smart Agriculture, Environment, Fertilizer, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), State Board of Food and Agriculture | Tagged , | Leave a comment

CDFA Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program helps ensure quality and compliance

February 27, 2023   Office of Public Affairs

Did you know that CDFA’s Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program (FMIP) conducts routine inspections to ensure fertilizing materials meet the quantity and quality guaranteed by the manufacturer? For example, in the accompanying photo a CDFA inspector is taking a sample of commercial fertilizer at the manufacturing firm’s location just before the material is delivered to a grower. The sample is then …

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CDFA Secretary Karen Ross welcomes FREP Conference attendees

October 28, 2021   Office of Public Affairs
Posted in Fertilizer | 3 Comments

Nitrogen management advice for fruits, nuts and other crops – From California Ag Today

April 17, 2019   Office of Public Affairs

Note – CDFA’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) has provided funding, guidance and consultation to this nitrogen management project since 2013. It’s part of the joint Nitrogen Management Training Program with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources department (UC ANR), the California Association of Pest Control Advisers’ Certified Crop Adviser Program, and the Regional Water Boards. By …

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Posted in Fertilizer, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Moving the Needle on Nitrogen Fertilizer Management in California Agriculture

August 12, 2016   Karen Ross, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture

California Department of Food and Agriculture invests in crop-specific research, training for farmers and crop advisors, and development of best practices for nitrogen use. By Karen Ross, CDFA Secretary As young students we are taught that water, sunshine, seed and soil are the building blocks of agriculture. Scientists and farmers alike have come to embrace the basic and vital importance of …

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Posted in Environment, Fertilizer, Healthy soils | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Video: Earth Day @ CDFA

April 22, 2016   Jay Van Rein, CDFA Office of Public Affairs

Happy Earth Day from CDFA! This video provides a brief look at just a few of the programs and projects at the California Department of Food and Agriculture that help farmers protect the environment. From healthy soils and dairy digesters to alternative fuels and beneficial bugs, we are working toward a future when every day is Earth Day.

Posted in Climate Change, Environment, Fertilizer, Healthy soils, Hydrogen, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species, Measurement Standards | Tagged | 1 Comment

Healthy Soils Initiative: A foundation for agricultural sustainability and climate change resilience

May 13, 2015   Office of Public Affairs

Ask a shopper where their food comes from, and the answer might be “the supermarket” or “the farmers’ market,” or maybe even “a farm” or “a farmer.” Those are all true, but of course they aren’t the whole story. Ask a farmer the same question, and you’re likely to hear “the soil.” Ah, now we’re getting somewhere… In his recent …

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Posted in Climate Change, Environment, Fertilizer, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

New for the 2015 growing season: brochures provide nitrogen fertilization guidelines

January 21, 2015   Office of Public Affairs

Over the past 20-plus years, California farmers have come to know CDFA’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) office as a respected resource for the science of crop nutrients. Recently, through a joint project with UC Davis, FREP has completed its most ambitious effort yet – synthesizing years of research into an accessible online database and online crop fertilization guidelines …

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Department of Justice: Former President of Organic Fertilizer Company Sentenced to Federal Prison for Selling Synthetic Fertilizer to Organic Farms

November 9, 2012   CDFA Staff

http://www.justice.gov/usao/can/news/2012/2012_11_08_townsley.sentenced.press.html (Released 10-8-12) SAN FRANCISCO – Peter Townsley was sentenced yesterday to serve 364 days in prison and ordered to pay a fine of $125,000 for a scheme to defraud his customers in the organic farming industry, United States Attorney Melinda Haag announced.  Townsley was also ordered to serve six months of community confinement, during which time he must perform …

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Annual fertilizer conference tackles key issues, sets attendance record

November 7, 2012   Rick Jensen, Director of Inspection Services

The California Department of Food and Agriculture and the Western Plant Health Association (WHPA) teamed up last week to present the 20th annual Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) conference in Modesto.  Based on attendance alone, it was a great success. More than 260 people attended – a record. Farmers, certified crop advisers, regulators and representatives of fertilizer manufacturers were among those in …

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Posted in Environment, Fertilizer, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment