On-Farm Recharge University (OFR-U) Pilot Program Nears Completion

MAGSA’s On-Farm Recharge University pilot program- the first-ever On-Farm Recharge grower program in California- will graduate its first cohort this May. On-Farm Recharge University (OFR-U) was designed to help MAGSA growers become experts at implementing OFR so they are prepared when conveyance infrastructure is built to bring excess surface water onto their farms.

The first group of growers to go through OFR-U is referred to as “Cohort Zero.” By the end of OFR-U, Cohort Zero participants will have attended six workshops led by OFR expert and researcher Phil Bachand. Topics covered have included: selecting an ideal OFR site, farm and field infrastructure needs, ideal timing and duration of OFR, and developing and managing a site-specific data plan.

Growers have also heard from guest speakers including Helen Dahlke, Ph.D, Associate Professor in Integrated Hydrologic Sciences at UC Davis, representatives from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Central Valley Water Board, and other researchers, farmers, engineers, and OFR practitioners.

OFR-U Cohort participants also attended a series of field trips to various farms where they could see the infrastructure required for successful OFR implementation. To close the OFR-U experience, Phil Bachand will conduct a series of site visits, meeting growers at their farms and discussing site-specific questions or concerns they have about implementing OFR on their farms.

MAGSA will continue creating and sharing resources with growers surrounding topics like On-Farm Recharge. The next OFR-University cohort will begin in late 2023. If you are interested in participating, please email ofr@mcmullinarea.org.