Growers invited to discuss young almonds, pistachios, walnuts, olives, citrus and peach orchards starting Feb. 18
To help growers manage irrigation and nutrients for young and immature orchards, UC Cooperative Extension is offering workshops in Madera, Stockton, Parlier and Tulare.
The workshops will feature presentations by various experts and researchers focusing on best irrigation and nutrient management practices tailored specifically for young orchards in the San Joaquin Valley. They will cover almonds, pistachios, walnuts, olives, citrus, and peaches.
“Attendees will gain insights into the irrigation and nutrient needs of young orchards, which are different from those applicable to mature orchards, and learn strategies for adjusting these practices as orchards mature,” said Moneim Mohamed, UC Cooperative Extension irrigation and soils advisor for Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Merced counties. “This knowledge aims to ensure healthier tree development, better resource use and more resilient orchards in the face of climate change.”
Growers, certified crop advisers and other agricultural professionals are encouraged to attend. Workshop attendees may request one-on-one assistance from a UCCE farm advisor.
Speakers include UCCE advisors Moneim Mohamed, Mae Culumber, Cameron Zuber, Tobias Oker, Phoebe Gordon and Raymond Mireles; UCCE specialists Giulia Marino and Khaled Bali; Charles Hillyer of Fresno State; and USDA research agronomist Sultan Begna.
The Young Orchard Irrigation and Nutrient Management workshops will be held in four locations:
Madera
Madera County Farm Bureau, 1102 S Pine St., Madera, CA 93637
Register at https://ucanr.edu/orchardsmadera
Stockton
Feb. 20 (8 a.m.–12:30 p.m.)
Robert J Cabral Agricultural Center, Assembly Room 3, 2101 E Earhart Ave #200, Stockton, CA 95206
Register at https://ucanr.edu/orchardsstockton
Parlier
Feb. 25 (8 a.m.–12:30 p.m.)
Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Nectarine Room, 9240 S. Riverbend Ave, Parlier, CA 93648
Register at https://ucanr.edu/orchardskearney
Tulare
Feb. 27 (8 a.m.–12:30 p.m.)
UC Cooperative Extension, 4437-B S. Laspina St., Tulare, CA 93274
Register at https://ucanr.edu/orchardstulare
Workshops are free and include coffee breaks, lunch and workshop materials along with the presentations. Registration is required.
These workshops are supported by a grant from California Department of Food and Agriculture and co-sponsored by Almond Board of California, California Pistachio Research Board, Meter Group Inc., AvidWater, SWAN Systems, and HotSpot AG.