New BIFS program advisory review board members

SAREP’s Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) program, established in 1995 by the UC Regents at the request of the California state legislature, uses a “whole system” approach to demonstrate innovative farming practices that enhance biological processes. In partnership with farm advisors and researchers, participating farmers implement alternative growing practices that include pest management, soil building, irrigation, waste management and other biological and cultural practices. These practices are designed to reduce negative environmental impacts such as pollution from agricultural chemicals, animal waste, and soil erosion.

A 13-member Program Advisory Review Board reviews BIFS project proposals and provides program guidance. The board is composed of representatives from the University of California, relevant state and federal agencies, non-profit organizations, as well as growers and a licensed pest control adviser. The following individuals were recently appointed to serve on the BIFS Board:

JOE GRANT is a UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor in San Joaquin County. His principal crop responsibilities include walnuts, sweet cherries and apples. He has a bachelor of science degree in plant science from UC Davis, and postgraduate degrees from UCD in horticulture (pomology), and plant protection and pest management. Grant has been a farm advisor in San Joaquin and neighboring counties since 1985 and has extensive experience in pest management systems for orchard crops. He was the principal investigator of the walnut BIFS project, which concluded in spring of 2002.

WILLIAM HORWATH is a professor of soil biogeochemistry in the land, air and water resources department at UC Davis. Before coming to Davis he spent three years as a soil microbiologist with the USDA-ARS in Corvallis, Ore. doing research on composting on-farm wastes and the influence of riparian areas on water quality in agricultural landscapes. Currently he teaches nutrient cycling and management and organic chemistry of soil. His research is directed at understanding how soils store carbon or organic matter in both agriculture and forest ecosystems; results address the issue surrounding the sustainability of practices leading to soil carbon sequestration and the associated affects on nutrient cycling. These relate to the potential of using alternative management strategies in California agriculture and forestry systems to store soil carbon and mitigate the effect of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels on global climate change. Horwath also serves on SAREP’s Technical Advisory Committee.

PATRICK WEDDLE is an entomologist and technical support representative for Pacific Biocontrol Corporation, a pioneering producer and marketer of insect mating disruption technologies. He is also the founder and president of Weddle, Hansen and Associates, Inc., a California based agricultural consulting firm established in 1975, specializing in the development and implementation of strategies, tactics and policies to secure adoption of commercially viable systems of crop protection with emphasis on biologically intensive integrated pest management (IPM). Prior to establishing the consulting firm, Weddle was the principal coordinator of the UC/USDA IPM implementation project in El Dorado County, California. He has taught classes, delivered lectures and written extensively on IPM and policies that relate to the implementation of sustainable systems of crop protection. Weddle has served in many professional, agency, university and industry leadership positions. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in entomology from the UC Berkeley.

Continuing BIFS Board members and alternates:
Matt Billings, Sherman Boone, John Carlon, Bob Elliott, Tish Espinoza, Paul “Augie” Feder, Paul Gosselin, Stephen Griffin, Belinda Messenger, Gregory Nelson, John Steggall, Katherine Taylor, and Dawit Zeleke. Biographies of these BIFS Board members appeared in the 2002 winter/spring issue of Sustainable Agriculture (Vol.14, No.1).