All Ventura County growers are now required by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board to submit an Irrigation and Nutrient Management Report (INMR) by March 1, 2026, in addition to the already implemented requirement for filling out the Nitrogen Management Plan (NMP) worksheet (March 1, 2025).
Irrigation and Nutrient Management Report (INMR)
By March 1, 2026, all operators must submit an Irrigation and Nutrient Management Report (INMR), summarizing information from their INMP(s).
- Perennial Crops: The INMR will summarize the prior calendar year’s INMP(s).
- Annual Crops: The INMR will summarize the INMP(s) for all crops harvested during the prior calendar year.
- For the initial March 1, 2026, INMR, only crops that completed a full cycle in 2025 (both established and harvested) will be reported.
- Crops established in 2025 but not harvested by year-end will be reported in the March 1, 2027, INMR (covering the 2026 calendar year).
INMR Requirements:
- Reported per INMP Management Unit:
- Total N applied
- Harvest yield
- Implemented management practices
- INMRs must be submitted to VCAILG, anonymized, and then reported to the Regional Board.
- Data will be used to identify and follow up with outliers, providing targeted notifications and education.
- Form: INMR Template
Irrigation and Nutrient Management Plan (INMP)
By March 1, 2025, all operators must develop an Irrigation and Nutrient Management Plan (INMP) and annually thereafter.
- Perennial Crops: An INMP must be developed for the given calendar year, with the first INMP covering the 2025 calendar year.
- Annual Crops: An INMP must be developed for all crops established within the calendar year. The initial INMP(s) will cover crops established between March 1 and December 31, 2025, as INMP requirements take effect on March 1, 2025.
INMP Requirements
- Must be developed annually and kept on-farm.
- One INMP is required per Management Unit, defined by the same crop, age, and management practices within contiguous fields.
- Each INMP includes:
- Pre-season element – Anticipates crop irrigation and nutrient needs (must be certified).
- Post-season element – Records actual nitrogen (N) application, irrigation water applied, and harvest yield.
- Forms: INMP Template and INMP Instructions
Please check the Farm Bureau's VCAILG website for complete details on the Nitrogen Management Plan and other regulatory requirements for Ventura County.