The University of California Cooperative Extension announced on March 11 that it will hold an in-person training session on the CropManage online irrigation and nutrient management tool at its Watsonville office on March 27. The event, organized with the Resource Conservation Service of Santa Cruz County, will run from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., with lunch provided.
The workshop aims to help growers, farm managers, crop advisors, and technical service providers use CropManage to improve efficiency in irrigation and nitrogen management. This is particularly relevant as agricultural producers work to comply with Ag Order 4.0 water quality regulations. The CropManage tool is free and accessible via smartphones or tablets through a web browser, supporting crops such as strawberries, caneberries, cool season vegetables, peppers, and vineyards.
Participants are encouraged to bring a tablet or laptop for hands-on exercises during the session. Each attendee should set up a free user account at https://cropmanage.ucanr.edu/ before arriving. Spanish translation will be available at the event. Registration is free but limited to the first 30 registrants.
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources secures funding through public contributions to support its programs, according to the official website. The organization promotes sustainable practices aimed at strengthening resilient ecosystems and economic vitality according to its official website. It utilizes nine research and extension centers as laboratories representing California’s diverse ecosystems according to the official website.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources has gained recognition for linking research directly to community needs according to its official website. As part of the University of California system, it manages Cooperative Extension services across all counties in the state according to its official website. The organization conducts over 33,000 educational events annually and engages more than 18,000 volunteers in its initiatives according to the official website.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources extends university research into communities through educational programs that promote sustainable agriculture and natural resource practices statewide. It delivers science-based information via workshops like this one in Watsonville while mobilizing volunteers and research centers to address local issues and enhance economic contributions according to its official website.