One of California’s top cotton experts will present the latest information about cotton variety trials during a workshop in Firebaugh on Wednesday, Dec. 14.

Robert Hutmacher, the director of the University of California Research and Extension Center in Five Points, will make his presentation from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Firebaugh Community Center, 1655 13th Street.  The program is free and open to the community.

The UC Extension agronomist and cotton specialist has a background in soil physics and plant physiology. Since the early 1980s, he has conducted research on how plant and soil factors impact crop responses to irrigation and limiting water. His work also includes varietal differences in production potential and fiber quality in irrigated cotton.  Before joining UC, he spent 15 years in United States Department of Agriculture’s Water Management Research Lab in Fresno.

The event is sponsored by San Joaquin Sustainable Farming Project, a program under the direction of the California-based Sustainable Cotton Project. For more information, contact Project Director Marcia Gibbs at (530) 370-5325 or at marcia@sustainablecotton.org.