Salinas, CA – January 20, 2025 – The Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) is thrilled to announce it has been awarded a $225,000 grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP). This funding will support ALBA’s outreach project, “Equity in Nutrient Management Education,” aimed at empowering socially disadvantaged organic growers on the Central Coast.

Led by Nathan Harkleroad, the program focuses on educating Spanish-speaking farmers in Monterey and San Benito counties on soil fertility, plant nutrition, and irrigation management techniques. The project is part of ALBA’s farmer incubation program, which equips aspiring farmers with the tools and knowledge they need to build successful organic farming businesses.

“This grant is transformative for our growers,” said Nathan Harkleroad. “By providing culturally relevant, accessible education, we can empower farmers to adopt sustainable practices that improve productivity and protect the environment.”

In collaboration with the Monterey and San Benito Resource Conservation Districts, ALBA will offer technical assistance to program graduates to implement these best practices. The grant also funds the Spanish translation of CDFA’s California Crop Fertilization Guidelines, ensuring broader access to these critical resources.

Since its inception in 1991, CDFA’s FREP has awarded $31 million to 276 projects focused on nutrient and irrigation management in California. ALBA is honored to join this legacy, advancing sustainability and equity in agriculture.

For more information about ALBA and its programs, visit www.albafarmers.org.

About ALBA:
The Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) is a Salinas-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering limited-resource and aspiring organic farmers through land-based education and hands-on training.

About CDFA FREP:
The Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) supports research, demonstration, and education projects that advance nutrient and irrigation management practices in California agriculture.