Dear Colleagues,
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) has announced its 2025 Request for Pre-Proposals, inviting innovative project ideas to advance the efficient and environmentally safe use of fertilizers and irrigation in agriculture. This FREP is dedicated to supporting efforts that promote sustainable and effective nutrient and water management practices across California.
FREP is particularly interested in projects that target:
- Outreach, Education, and Demonstration Projects – Focused on enhancing nutrient and irrigation management practices through technical training, certification programs, extension materials, and creating resources for underserved growers and non-English speakers. These projects should aim to improve adoption rates of proven management practices among growers and field staff.
- Research and Demonstration Projects – Geared towards advancing knowledge in areas such as:
- Improving Nutrient and Irrigation Management: Projects might explore the barriers to adopting best practices, the role of organic materials in soil health, and validating tools that optimize Nutrient and/or irrigation water use
- Evaluating Nutrient Loss Pathways: With an emphasis on understanding nutrient movement from the root zone to the environment and mitigating nutrient losses, these projects could cover topics like nutrient loss through runoff and methods for reducing gaseous emissions from fertilizers.
Range of Awards: $75,000 - $100,000 per year
Required match: None
Performance Period: 1-3 years
Pre-Proposal Deadline: December 16, 2024
Full Proposal Deadline: April 14, 2025 (by invite only)
For more information and to access the pre-proposal template, visit CDFA FREP's website.
Thank you.
Kendra Rose, Associate Director, Proposal Development Services