Workshops and Events
The RCD offers a number of ways for the community and agricultural producers to get involved with our programming: Cover Crop workshop series for landowners and managers, annual partner events like the Ag Plastic Recycling Program, and volunteer opportunities as they arise in conjunction with our On-the-Ground projects. We also attend a number of community events annually.
BIOCHAR BENEFITS INCALIFORNIA 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
You must register here to participate.
View & Download PDF workshop flyer
Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call 626-483-1345.
ofi - Nitricity Field Day Event
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.
You must register here to participate.
View & Download PDF workshop flyer
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.
You must register here to participate.
View & Download PDF workshop flyer
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
You must register here to participate.
View & Download PDF workshop flyer
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
You must register here to participate.
View & Download PDF workshop flyer
View & Download PDF workshop agenda
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
You must register here to participate.
View & Download PDF English workshop flyer
View & Download PDF English workshop agenda
View & Download PDF Spanish workshop flyer
View & Download PDF Spanish workshop agenda
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: 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
You must register here to participate.
View & Download PDF workshop flyer (English)
View & Download PDF workshop flyer (Spanish)
Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call 626-483-1345.
Grower Experience with Recharge
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
You must register here to participate.
View & Download PDF workshop flyer
Grower Experience with Recharge Workshop
Site #1 – Central Valley Farmer Shares New Experience with On Farm Groundwater Recharge
Site #2 – Madera Irrigation District Leads the Charge on Groundwater Recharge
Site #2 – How This Farmer Returned 158 Acre ft of Stormwater to the Soil in 10 Days
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
You must register here to participate.
Topics covered:
- Conservation Planning
- Ground Water Management
- Irrigation Data & Scheduling
- Maintenance For Efficiency
View & Download PDF virtual workshop flyer
View & Download workshop agenda
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)
View & Download PDF virtual workshop flyer
View & Download PDF virtual workshop agenda
View & Download PDF Pacific Nut Producer October 2022
Grower Recharge Workshop:
Exploring Different Options for On Farm Groundwater Recharge
Is Overwinter Orchard Flooding a Good Option for Groundwater Recharge?
NRCS Incentive Funding for On farm Groundwater Recharge Projects
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)
View & Download PDF virtual workshop flyer
View & Download PDF virtual workshop agenda
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.
View & Download PDF virtual workshop flyer
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.
View & Download PDF virtual workshop flyer
View & Download PDF virtual workshop agenda
Questions? For more information, contact Amy Siliznoff, Madera/Chowchilla RCD, at amy@maderachowchillarcd.org or call 626-483-1345.
**** RCPP App Deadline for 2022: April 15, 2022
Valley Farm Bureau SHARE to host Field Demo Day
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.
Whole Orchard Recycling and mastication to be demonstrated by Arrowhead Agriculture.
View & Download PDF workshop flyer
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: Thursday, December 16th, 2016 | 9:00AM – 11:00AM
Where: Zoom, you must Register Here to receive the link to participate.
The Madera-Chowchilla RCD, in collaboration with East Stanislaus RCD and East Merced RCD, is hosting a cover cropping workshop discussing key strategies for starting and managing cover crops on your farm system for water and soil conservation.
* DPR and CCA Credits are pending for this workshop. Please put if you would like these credits in the registration (along with your DPR and CCA number) so we can help certify you.
View & Download PDF virtual workshop flyer
View & Download PDF virtual workshop agenda
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
Madera/Chowchilla RCD and the East Merced and East Stanislaus RCD are offering a workshop to introduce the program and application process on November 30 virtually from 9 – 10:30 am. Madera/Chowchilla RCD will also be available in-person after the workshop from 10:30 am – 3:00 pm at the Madera County Farm Bureau Office located at 1102 S Pine St, Madera, CA to answer questions about the program, discuss your potential projects, and in some cases assist with quantifications and filling out applications.
View & Download PDF SWEEP virtual workshop flyer
View & Download PDF Eligibility Decision Tree/Road Map for SWEEP Applications
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.
View & Download PDF virtual workshop flyer
View & Download PDF virtual workshop agenda
Program and application information can be found on MCRCD website
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.
View & Download PDF flyer (English) | (Spanish)
Watch Workshop (English) | (Spanish)
Program and application information can be found on MCRCD website.
Upcoming Events
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.