Kathy Brunetti, Agriculture Program Supervisor
California Department of Pesticide Regulation
************
June 22, 1999 (99-15)
DPR Awards More Than $700,000
to Reduce Pesticide Risks and Use
SACRAMENTO -- Cal/EPA's Department of Pesticide Regulation today announced
$737,000 in Pest Management Alliance grants to fund 10 large-scale projects
aimed at reducing the use of high-risk pesticides in the growing of cotton,
tree fruit, almonds, rice, walnuts, sugar beets, seeds, and cut flowers.
This is the second year of the Alliance program, which is designed
to encourage industry-wide adoption of pest management techniques that
reduce pesticide risks to workers, consumers, and the environment. In
these public-private alliances, the grant recipients provide matching funds
equal to the DPR grant. Last year, the Alliance awarded eight major grants
that ranged up to $100,000 each.
Among the 10 recipients of this year's grants are four projects
from last year that will receive another year of funding to continue their
innovative work.
"I am especially pleased at the quality of the projects that
received second-year funding," said DPR Director Paul E. Helliker. "Their
projects demonstrate reduced-risk pest control practices that are
economical--and that work.
"For example, almond and prune growers are getting together to
learn about innovative pest management methods, walnut growers are
evaluating and demonstrating regional reduced-risk practices, and pear
growers are applying innovative methods learned in one area to crops in
other parts of the state. Typically, Alliance groups focus on communicating
information through demonstrations, field days, and publications about
reduced-risk practices."
Helliker said that the new Alliance participants would show the
same commitment to implementing alternative methods to the use of
conventional pesticides. "They have a great incentive to succeed,"
Helliker said. "Farmers are being pressured to find alternatives to
conventional pesticides, and are willing to put up their own money to help
do it. Beyond our grants, we help the Alliance participants by giving them
technical advice on what has worked-and what hasn't-with other crops."
Four groups received Alliance funding for the second year:
* The Walnut Marketing Board, based in Sacramento, to continue development
of a project designed to encourage adoption of reduced-risk pest management
strategies in walnuts statewide. ($65,750)
*The Almond Board of California, based in Modesto, to promote a
reduced-risk system of almond production through use of alternative
products and practices, on-site demonstrations, and grower education.
($98,976 )
* The California Prune Board, based in Pleasanton, to expand and strengthen
existing reduced-risk pest management strategies and improve communication
and cooperation among different segments of the industry. ($92,727)
*The California Pear Advisory Board, based in Sacramento, to establish a
pheromone-based insect management project with new growers in Lake,
Mendocino, El Dorado, and Sacramento counties. ($100,000)
Six groups are first-time Alliance participants:
*The California Cotton Ginners and Growers Associations, based in Fresno,
to encourage adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies by
improving outreach and field evaluation in Pima and Upland cotton.
($100,000 )
* The California Beet Growers Association, based in Stockton, to improve
integrated management of insect pests in sugar beets. ($88,841)
*The California Cut Flower Commission, based in Watsonville, to demonstrate
and implement a reduced-risk pest management strategy in fresh cut roses.
($85,000)
*The California Seed Association, based in Sacramento, to develop an
alfalfa seed pest management implementation training program for the
central San Joaquin Valley. ($55,000)
*The California Tree Fruit Agreement, Reedley, for a project to evaluate
and implement sustainable pest management practices for key insect pests in
clingstone canning and fresh market peaches, plums and nectarines.
($31,325)
*The California Rice Research Board, Yuba City, to develop a reduced-risk
program for control of rice water weevil and to demonstrate program
efficacy to rice growers. ($20,000)
DPR distributes grants under two major programs: the two-year-old
Alliance program, which focuses on statewide projects, and the Innovations
in Pest Management program. The latter, established in 1996, focuses on
local and regional projects. DPR has awarded $4.3 million in grants in the
two programs.
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