California Strawberry Commission Awarded $225,000 for Water and Nutrient Education

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Oct 07, 2013, 01:17 ET

Grower Education Team to Partner with University Research Centers to Meet Challenges Surrounding Increasing Water Quality Regulations

WATSONVILLE, Calif., Oct. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- To prepare growers and irrigators to meet the challenges of ever increasing water quality regulations and dwindling water supplies, the California Strawberry Commission today announced it was awarded a three-year block grant for $225,000 by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

The commission's grower education team will partner with the University of California Cooperative Extension, Monterey and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Irrigation, Training and Research Center (ITRC) to create and deliver a multi-class, irrigation and nutrient management education program in major strawberry growing areas across the state.

Findings from the Strawberry Water Assessment and Management Project (SWAMP), conducted over the last year by commission staff and research partners, identified key training priorities for this program. The first course to be offered this winter will focus on best management practices (BMPs) to improve and maintain irrigation system performance. Future classes will address irrigation scheduling, system design and fertigation practices, and other pertinent water management projects.

About the California Strawberry Commission

The California Strawberry Commission is a state government agency that represents more than 400 growers and 60 shippers and processors of California strawberries. With a focus on food safety education, Commission strategies also include production and nutrition research, trade relations, public policy and marketing communications.

SOURCE California Strawberry Commission