CALIFORNIA, USA: MERCED COUNTY BIOS PROJECT

JEFF DLOTT WITH THOMAS NELSON, ROBERT BUGG, MIKE SPEZIA, RAY ECK, JUDITH REDMOND, JILL KLEIN, AND LIZA LEWIS

California is the top ranked agricultural state in the United States, and many of its farmers rely heavily on pesticides for pest management. (See Box 1). The Merced County Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) Program grew out of local farmers' desire to reduce agrochemical use without sacrificing agricultural productivity, the willingness of several institutions to launch a new project, and support from funders and government agencies.

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Background and Overview
Documentation and Evaluation
BIOS Expansion
Conclusions