Almond farmers in California have a new tool to help them grow more efficient and environmentally friendly crops, thanks to a collaboration between UC Davis and the Almond Board of California. The Almond Nitrogen & Potassium Budgeting Calculator transforms decades of academic research into an adaptable, user-friendly web-based resource for growers across the state.

University technical experts and researchers, plus industry leaders, were involved in creating the calculator. At the heart of the project was UC Davis Information and Educational Technology’s own Carson Black, a seasoned web developer who enjoyed the technical challenge.

“I was tasked with taking all the research data that had been compiled into a big spreadsheet and turning it into a usable web tool that could perform calculations properly and be approachable,” explained Carson. “Translating the data into web code was the fun part of it.”

A Digital Leap for California Growers

Before the calculator tool launched in February 2026, research data from the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences lived predominately in spreadsheets. It involves complex mathematical equations that calculate how much nitrogen and potassium almond trees need during the pre- and mid-seasons. Almonds are high in protein and thus require precise nitrogen application.

“Nitrogen is expensive, and almond growers are paying close attention to pricy inputs,” explained Julia Stover-Blackburn, Fruit & Nut Research and Information Center (FNRIC) Director. “If you don’t use enough nitrogen, it’s bad for your yield, but if you use too much, it’s bad for the environment and can make almond trees more susceptible to diseases.”

Previous attempts to translate the wealth of data into a usable web interface were not particularly user-friendly, requiring time-consuming logins and lengthy information input. The Almond Board of California teamed up with FNRIC in hopes of creating a better way to help almond growers apply the crucial research. They not only funded the project but were hands-on with the development and design of the calculator.

“We have been working on this topic for about 20 years,” said Sebastian Saa, Associate Director of Agricultural Research at the Almond Board of California. “This calculator reflects the latest of our thinking and includes potassium calculations, which we had not done before.” 

Engineering a Seamless User Experience

The Almond Nitrogen & Potassium Budgeting Calculator is hosted on the UC Davis Fruit and Nut Center website, a UC Davis site hosted by SiteFarm, the main campus web tool managed by IET. Carson leveraged SiteFarm custom blocks and other emerging technologies to fine-tune complicated code to make the calculator responsive and accurate. The result is a user-friendly, web-based calculation tool that allows growers to seamlessly revisit and update their data throughout the season. In addition, Carson added an extra feature to allow curious growers to view the inner workings of the calculator.

“In testing, there was interest in seeing the math behind the calculator,” said Carson. “So, instead of having growers open console logs, which isn’t very user friendly, we added a pop-up panel that shows inputs, values, and calculations. That way they can see what’s happening in real time.”

The ability to help growers adapt as the season progresses is another crucial feature. Growers can revisit the web-based calculator and refine their plan. The California Almond Board noted in their announcement that this ability helps growers “make confident, informed decisions—balancing productivity, environmental stewardship, and cost control”.  

“Getting it right is fundamental,” Saa said. “From an economic point of view, from an environmental point of view, and from an efficiency and productivity point of view.” 

Cultivating a Productive Future

As growers begin using the Almond Nitrogen & Potassium Budgeting Calculator, their feedback will inform potential improvements and future projects. FNRIC is already exploring ways to provide similar growing support for other California staples, like prunes and pears. 

For Carson, the web development project was a rewarding puzzle of turning "big spreadsheets" into a seamless user experience. But for the larger agricultural industry, it is a significant leap forward in technology. By leveraging SiteFarm to create a tool that is as responsive as it is accurate, the collaboration between UC Davis and the Almond Board has set a new standard for how university research reaches the field—ensuring California growers have the right data to thrive in an evolving landscape.