Biologically Integrated Farming Systems Grants,
Farmers, commodity groups and academic researchers are encouraged to apply for a second round of grants administered by SAREP to improve soil fertility and crop protection with cultural practices and biological pest control that reduce reliance on agricultural chemicals. Awards ranging from $80,000 to $100,000 per year for one or more projects will be available through the Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) pilot projects, the result of 1994 state legislation. The first round of BIFS grants - funded by the California Environmental Protection Agency's Department of Pesticide Regulation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - supports ongoing projects in winegrapes and field crops. New funding from the federal EPA and the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources permits SAREP to fund one or more additional projects. The core of BIFS projects is a team approach to farm management, using farmers, consultants, UC farm advisors and researchers, and independent pest-control advisers to farmers.

"An increasing number of California farmers representing many commodities and counties have been able to maintain yields and quality while greatly reducing their reliance on agrichemicals, including pesticides and synthetic fertilizers," says SAREP Director Bill Liebhardt. The elements these farmers integrate into their production systems include biological and cultural control of pests; on-farm habitats for beneficial insects, mites and spiders; a strong emphasis on soil-building practices, often including biological nitrogen fixation to supply all or part of the nitrogen needed by crop plants; and reduced reliance on agricultural chemicals.

Applicants for BIFS funds may employ additional techniques, such as field monitoring for pest and beneficial organisms; collection of weather data; reliance on research-based action thresholds; use of selective biorational pesticides; and soil, water and plant-tissue testing. "BIFS grants are not necessarily limited to organic farming systems," Liebhardt adds. "Under this kind of management, agrichemical programs are crafted carefully to integrate all these elements."

New proposals for BIFS funding to study these farmers' production systems are encouraged. Formal Request for Proposals were mailed the first week of January 1997. Proposals must be received by UC SAREP no later than April 9, 1997. California institutions and individuals are invited to apply for funding. Principal investigators on BIFS projects may be private individuals, for-profit and non-profit corporations, including commodity boards, Resource Conservation Districts, Natural Resources Conservation Service Districts or soil conservationists, University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisors, Cooperative Extension specialists, Area IPM Advisors, and faculty of any accredited California institution of higher learning. For more information, contact SAREP at (916) 752-7556 or visit its Web site at www.sarep.ucdavis.edu

Fund for Rural America
The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 ( the Farm Bill) has authorized money for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "Fund For Rural America" to expand economic opportunities for rural Americans; $100 million per year for three years will be split equally among three areas: rural development, research, and an amount to be used at the discretion of the Agriculture Secretary for research or rural development. Rural Development funding may be used for a range of rural development activities, including rural business enterprise grants, direct loans, loan guarantees, grants to water and waste water projects, distance learning and telemedicine loans and grants, self-help housing, and rural housing preservation. Research funding is for a competitive research grant program for "...research, extension, and education to increase international competitiveness, efficiency, and farm profitability; reduce economic and health risks; conserve and enhance natural resources; develop new crops, new crop uses, and new agricultural applications of biotechnology; enhance animal agricultural resources; preserve plant and animal germplasm; increase economic opportunities in farming and rural communities; and expand locally-owned value-added processing." A request for proposals for the competitive research grant program is in the current Federal Register. For additional information, contact Colien Hefferan at (202) 720-7441 or Jim Newby at (202) 720-9365 or access their Web site at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/agency/rbcds/html/funrlam.htm

Organic Research Grants
The Organic Farming Research Foundation is offering funds for research on organic farming methods, dissemination of research results to organic farmers and growers interested in making the transition to organic production, and consumer education on organic farming issues. Projects should involve farmers in design and execution, and take place on working farms when possible. Proposals of $3,000-$5,000 are encouraged. Matching funds and/or in-kind contributions are recommended. Proposals are considered twice a year; the next round of proposals must be received by July 15, 1997. To receive copies of grant application procedures and the OFRF Research and Education Priorities describing target areas, write Grants Program, Organic Farming Research Foundation, PO Box 440, Santa Cruz, CA 95061; Tel: (408) 426-6606.