The Madera/Chowchilla Resource Conservation District

Workshops and Events

Our workshops and events are designed to educate and empower community members on sustainable practices, conservation techniques, and the latest developments in resource management. Join us to gain valuable insights, network with like-minded individuals, and actively contribute to the conservation efforts that protect our local environment. Your participation helps us build a more resilient and informed community.

Agave Workshops

Event Name: RCD Field Demonstration Workshop
Date: Tuesday, November 19
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch: Provided for attendees
Registration: Attendees need to register via a provided link or QR code.

Location: The Specialty Crop Company Agave Farm, NEC of Road 26 & Avenue 24 in Chowchilla, CA

Get Directions

Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call (626) 483-1345.

Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (MLRP)

Event Name: MLRP In-Person Meeting
Date: Wednesday, November 06
Time: 8:00 – 10:00AM

Event Name: MLRP Virtual Meeting
Date: Firday, November 08
Time: 12:00 – 1:30PM

Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call (626) 483-1345.

Ag Plastic Container Recycling Event

Key Details:

  • Date: November 18, 2024
  • Location: MCFB Parking Lot, 1102 S Pine St, Madera, CA 93637
  • Supported by: Ag Container Recycling Council
  • Recycling Provider: Interstate Ag Plastics

Accepted Items:

  • Triple-rinsed pesticide containers (must pass inspection and be clean)
  • 30 or 55-gallon drums (cut in half or quarters lengthwise from top to bottom)
  • Removed items: Caps, labels, and bungs

Unaccepted Items:

  • Bulk cage-type containers
  • Trash
  • Poly pipe

Important Reminders:

  • Containers not meeting the outlined requirements will not be accepted.

Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call (626) 483-1345.

Biochar Benefits in California Orchards

Biochar Benefits in California Orchards

MAY 30, 2024 – 9 AM TO NOON

PACIFIC FARMING COMPANY 24220 AVE. 13 ¾, MADERA CA 93637

A free workshop about the benefits of using biochar in orchards toimprove soil health. Learn best practices for handling and applyingbiochar. Hear about AFT’s field trial with Pacific Farming Company.Lunch will be served.

Speakers include:

  • AFT, Paul Lum and Harol Gonzalez Gallardo
  • UC Merced, Rebecca Ryals, PhD
    Pacific
  • Farming Company, Matt Angell

Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call (626) 483-1345.

Nitricity

The Madera/Chowchilla Resource Conservation District (RCD), ofi, and Nitricity invites you to attend a workshop event covering Nitrogen Management and Environmental Impact on Friday, April 19th from 10:30AM – 12PM located at ofi Puma Ranch in Chowchilla, CA. Lunch will be served following the workshop field day event. 1.5 CCA & INMP Credits are pending.

Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call (626) 483-1345.

Irrigation and Nutrient Management Workshops

The Madera/Chowchilla Resource Conservation District (RCD) invites you to attend our workshop event covering Irrigation and Nutrient Management on Tuesday, March 26th from 8:45AM – 11:00AM located at the Madera County Farm Bureau office at 1102 S Pine St, Madera, CA. We invite you to join us to learn more about how landowners can implement recharge on their land, efficiently schedule their irrigation systems to conserve water, and review common maintenance issues that lead to inefficient application of water and nutrients. Interested attendees will learn more about these excellent tools that will build resilience into our water supply system.

Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call (626) 483-1345.

MLRP | Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program Workshop

Work Shop Event: March 20, 2024

Topics Include:

  • MLRP Program Funding Opportunities
  • Project Types Funded Under MLRP
  • RCD Programs
  • Wildlife Projects on Working Lands
  • Technical Service Providers for Pollinator Projects

RSVP by March 13

Refreshments will be served

Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call (626) 483-1345.

NITRICITY Climate-Smart Fertilizer Webinar

Work Shop Event: November 10, 2023

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST

Speakers:

Tiziano – Agronomist Nitricity

Silas – President CA Ag Solutions

Zac – Sr Director of Agronomy Olam

Topics Covered:

Assessing the Environmental Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer’s

Nitrogen Management in Perennial Agroecosystems

Why Fertigate Nitrogen

Watch Workshop

Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call (626) 483-1345.

Grower Experience with Recharge

Work Shop Event: October 18, 2023

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Lunch Served)

Madera County Farm Bureau, 1102 S Pine St, Madera CA 93637

Topics Covered:

An update on Madera / Chowchilla 2022 – 2023 recharge events

Highlighted successes and challenges of 2023

Q&A with growers’ recharge experiences

Current and future recharge events and opportunities

Grower financial incentives

Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call (626) 483-1345.

 

How to prepare for on-farm recharge

Work Shop Event: June 21, 2023

1/2 Mile West of Intersection of 22 1/2 & Road 12

Topics Covered:

How to prepare for on-farm recharge

Obstacles Face and successes

Real-time experience with growers

Funding opportunities for recharge

Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call (626) 483-1345.

 

FIELD DAY: April 12th, 2023

FIELD DAY: April 12th, 2023

Site #1: 9:00AM – 10:30AM

26424 Avenue 8, Madera, CA 93637

Site #2: 11:00AM – 12:00PM

Avenue 11 1/2 & Road 23, Madera, CA 93637

Topics Covered:

  • How to prepare for on-farm recharge and recharge basins
  • Obstacles Face and successes
  • Real-time experience with growers
  • Funding opportunities for recharge

Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call (626) 483-1345.

 

Irrigation and Nutrient Management Workshops

When: January 10th, 2023 | 9:00AM to 11:00AM

Where:  Soils Education Center, 5956 Central Ave. Ceres, CA

When: January 12th, 2023 | 9:00AM to 11:00AM

Where:  Merced Coop. Extension Office, CE Classroom, 2145 Wardrobe Ave, Merced, CA

When: January 17th, 2023 | 8:45AM to 11:00AM

Where:  Madera County Farm Bureau Office, 1102 S Pine St. Madera, CA 93637

Topics covered:

  • Conservation Planning
  • Ground Water Management
  • Irrigation Data & Scheduling
  • Maintenance For Efficiency

Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call (626) 483-1345.

 

Grower Recharge Workshop

When: July 13, 2022 | 9:00AM to 11:30AM

Where: 13534 Avenue 19 1/2 Chowchilla, CA 93610. You must Register Here to participate.

Topics covered:

Introduction to Recharge (Joe Choperena, Sustainable Conservation)

Benefits of Recharge (Almond Board – Field Outreach and Education, Almond Board of California)

Chowhilla Management Zone (Kristi Robinson)

WIrrigated Lands Program (ESJ) – (Christina Beckstead)

NRCS Pilot Recharge Program – (State Water Quality Specialist, NRCS and Priscilla Baker, NRCS)

Grower Experience with Recharge – Chase Hurley (Red Top area)

Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call (626) 483-1345.

 

Strategies For Recharge On Your Farm

When: April 20, 2022 | 10:00AM to 12:00PM

Where: Zoom, you must Register Here to receive the link to participate.

Topics covered:

Introduction to Recharge (Daniel Mountjoy, Director of Resource Stewardship, Sustainable Conservation)

Crop and Agronomic Pieces to Recharge (Rogell Rogers, Agronomist, Sustainable Conservation )

Benefits of Recharge in Almonds (Michael Roots, Specialist – Field Outreach and Education, Almond Board of California)

Water Quality Aspects of Recharge (Aysha Massell, Programs Director, Sustainable Conservation)

Grower Experience with Recharge

NCRS Pilot Recharge Program (Wendy Rash, State Water Quality Specialist, NRCS)

Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call (626) 483-1345.

 

Virtual Webinar on Cover Crops

When: April 22, 2022 | 10:00AM to 12:00PM

Where: Zoom, you must Register Here to receive the link to participate.

Topics covered:

Video on Cover Crops

Discussion Q/A with video hosts

Grower: Justin Wylie, Wylie Farms

PCA: Jerred Barba, Stone Land Co.

Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call (626) 483-1345.

 

SJV RCPP Workshops

When: March 9th & March 21st, 2022

Where: Zoom, you must Register Here to receive the link to participate.

Topics covered:

Trina Walley w/East Stan RCD: What are RCDs and RCD-RCPP partnership.

Paul Lum and Stacy Shutts w/ AFT: background and information on RCPP, including practices and processes.

Matt Bahm with Merced NRCS: How to apply to the RCPP and differences between RCPP and EQIP applications.

Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call (626) 483-1345.

 

Cover Cropping For Drought Resiliency

When: Tuesday, March 01st, 2022 | 10:00AM – 12:00PM

Directions: The orchard demo will be held north of Exeter, between Belmont Rd. and Filbert Rd. Enter on Marinette Ave, at the train tracks, go north to the field block noted on the map. Park along edge of orchard west side of railroad tracks.

Register here

Whole Orchard Recycling and mastication to be demonstrated by Arrowhead Agriculture.

Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call (626) 483-1345.

 

SWEEP Grant Funding for Producers

When: Tuesday, November 30, 2021 from 9:00 – 10:30 AM

Where: Zoom

California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is offering its next round of State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) funding. SWEEP provides financial grants to implement irrigation system improvements that reduce greenhouse gases, and save water on California agricultural operations. Eligible system components can include soil moisture monitoring, drip systems, pump retrofits, variable frequency drives, installation of renewable energy, and other items that save energy and reduce water use.

Program and application information can be found on CDFA’s website at:  https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/sweep/

Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call (626) 483-1345.

 

Irrigation and Nutrient Management Workshop

When: Thursday, October 28, 2021, 8:30am – 1:00pm

Where: Zoom

Madera/Chowchilla Resource Conservation District is offering an Irrigation and Nutrient Management Workshop. Topics includes: Intro to distribution uniformity (DU), Productivity maintenance, Flow meters & calculations, Value of data management and Scheduling & fertigation.

Madera/Chowchilla Resource Conservation District is offering a workshop for Irrigation and Nutrient Management on October 28 from 8:30am to 1:00pm. MCRCD will also be available to answer questions about our program, discuss your potential projects, and in some cases assist with quantifications and filling out applications.

Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call (626) 483-1345.

 

Cover Crops in Orchard Systems

When: Part 1 – Zoom Presentation – Thursday, May o6, 2021, 11:00am – 1:00pm (English) 1:30pm – 3:309m (Spanish)

Part 2: Field Demonstration – 1st Demonstration Friday, May 07, 2021, 10:00am – 11:30am @ Rob Shuh’s Farm (9643 S Vista Ave, Chowchilla, CA 93610)

2nd Demonstration Friday, May 07, 2021, 1:00pm – 2:30pm @ Shannon lest’s Farm (Shoutheast corner of Rd 16 1/2 & Avenue 17, Madera, CA)

Dr Jeff Mitchell, Cooperative Extension Cropping Systems Specialist with UC Davis presents on growth, biomass production and water use of cover crops.

Cary Crum, Crop Consultant at California Ag Solutions presents on innovative cover crop planting approaches in almond orchards.

Vivian Wauters, Postdoc at UC Davis covers topics including frost risk, water usage, and soil health.

Margaret-Smither Kopperl, Manager of USDA-NRCS Lockeford Plant Material Center covers topics including cool and warm season cover crop options in Calfornia and planning, management, and termination methods.

Stephanie Anagnoson, Director of Water and Natural Resources for Madera County presents options for following SGMA locally.

Christina Beckstead, Director and Madera County Farm Bureau presents an overview of current NCP Programs and next steps.

Watch Workshop (English) | (Spanish)

Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call (626) 483-1345.