Competitive Grants Program

A primary function of the program is to offer grant money for research and education projects. SAREP has awarded over $3.2 million in grant monies for 230 basic and applied projects over the last eleven fiscal years (FY 1986/87 – FY 1996/97). These projects fall into five general categories:

• research and education grants for sustainable crop and livestock systems;
• research and education grants for community development and public policy projects;
• grants for educational events;
• grants for sustainable agriculture graduate awards (SAGA); and
• research grants for biologically integrated farming systems (BIFS).

New and continuing projects funded in FY 1995/96 and FY 1996/97 are summarized here.

 

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Crop and Livestock Projects

Cropping Systems

The Sustainable Agriculture Farming Systems Project

The Sustainable Agriculture Farming Systems (SAFS) Project was established in 1988 to study the transition from conventional to low-input and organic practices. The SAFS project is a long-term, interdisciplinary research project which compares productivity and sustainability among conventional, low-input, and organic systems. Each system is managed using "best farming practices" typical of Sacramento Valley growers. The 28-acre experimental site is located at the Agronomy Field Headquarters, which is less than two miles from the central University of California, Davis campus. The research group consists of 12 faculty and extension members from various departments, three local farmers and two Yolo County farm advisors. Positive effects resulting from low-input and organic management include increased organic matter content, maintenance of a neutral pH, higher microbial biomass and activity, greater aggregate stability, and increases in water-holding capacity. Current research efforts are focused on developing minimum-tillage tomato production methods, alternative weed control tactics, and improved fertility and cover crop management strategies. Funding for the main project is provided by USDA-SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) program and UC SAREP.

In 1995 an Information Specialist was hired to coordinate the outreach component of the project. Grants were secured through the Professional Development Program to fund the position and the educational events and materials.

Information generated from SAFS research has been disseminated through workshops, annual field days, field tours, educational materials, peer-reviewed articles, and a World Wide Web homepage (http://agronomy.ucdavis.edu/safs/home.htm). A wide variety of educational materials have been produced, including a slide show, video and quarterly news bulletin. The SAFS Bulletin is distributed to a mailing list of over 1500 agricultural professionals statewide.

A series of six intensive workshops were held in 1995-1997, in which a total of 403 agricultural professionals received in-service training. Since the SAFS project is a research-based project, it functions as both a demonstration trial and a living laboratory for workshop participants. Participants attended lectures, laboratory and field sessions in which recent SAFS project results were discussed. Also, tools and methods for assessing sustainable cropping systems were presented. Educational materials were distributed at all workshops, which included several research publications, tables and graphs, resource lists for alternative management methods, fertility management tools and methods, as well as samples of cover crop seed and inoculates.

The SAFS project has sponsored nine annual summer field days so far, each attended by over 125 participants. The 1997 Field Day had 177 participants including growers, farm advisors, international visitors and scholars, as well as students from the western region.

Steve Temple, specialist, Department of Agronomy and Range Science, University of California, Davis, (530)752-8216, email: srtemple@ucdavis.edu

Kelly Brewer, information specialist, UC Davis
Sean Clark, research manager, UC Davis
Jim Durst, farmer, Yolo County
Howard Ferris, professor, Department of Nematology, UC Davis
Willi Horwath, associate professor, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis
Tom Kearney, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, Yolo, Solano, Colusa counties
Karen Klonsky, specialist, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Davis
Tom Lanini, specialist, Department of Vegetable Crops, UC Davis
Pete Livingston, specialist, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Davis
Jeff Mitchell, specialist, Department of Vegetable Crops, UC Davis
Gene Miyao, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, Yolo/Solano counties
Bruce Rominger, farmer, Yolo County
Kate Scow, associate professor, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis
Carol Shennan, associate professor, Department of Vegetable Crops, UC Davis
Ed Sills, farmer, Yolo County
Don Stewart, production manager, Agronomy and Range Science, UC Davis
Rob Venette, postgraduate researcher, Department of Nematology, UC Davis
Ariena van Bruggen, associate professor, Department of Plant Pathology, UC Davis
Frank Zalom, specialist, Department of Entomology, UC Davis

 

Suppression of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in Conventional
and Organic Farming Systems

This study is a "piggyback experiment" that makes use of plots in the ongoing Sustainable Agriculture Farming Systems Project. The goal is to determine whether soils in organic farming systems have a greater tendency to suppress plant-parasitic nematodes than do soils of conventional farming systems. Sampling during 1995 and early 1996 revealed that nematode species composition and densities were similar in organic and conventional plots. Seven species of nematode-trapping fungi were isolated from both organic and conventional plots, and there was no evidence that the organic system harbored higher densities of these than did the conventional. Bioassay results showed that many soil samples from both organic and conventional systems were suppressive to root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica). Three of the fungal species isolated are effective only against root-knot nematode; another species was effective against both root-knot and cyst nematode (Heterodera schachtii).

Bruce A. Jaffee, associate professor, Department of Nematology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, (530)752-0862, fax: (530) 752-5809, email: bajaffee@ucdavis.edu

 

Rotation Length and Organic Transitions

An additional four-year organic rotation was added to the 100-year long-term farmland research experiment at UC Davis. The new organic rotation is being preceded by two years of conventionally managed processing tomatoes and corn. This treatment allows subsequent comparisons between crops under identical organic management but at different stages of the "organic transition" (first vs. fourth year). Progress continues to be made to insert this new rotation into the long-term project. Expected results include a determination of optimum rotation length, and assessment of the relative contributions of soil quality and human factors in transitions to organic farming.

R. Ford Denison, associate professor, Department of Agronomy and Range Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, (530) 752-9688, fax: (530) 752-4361, email: rfdenison@ucdavis.edu

 

Use of Cover Crop Mulches in Processing Tomato Production Systems

In recent years there has been a shift in land use on the West Side of the Central San Joaquin Valley. Thirty years ago, more than 60 percent of the land was planted to wheat, barley and safflower. By 1994, however, this percentage had slipped to less than seven percent. Higher value crops, including many vegetables and cotton, are now common in West Side rotations. The increase in these high-value crops has led to fewer additions of organic matter to the soil, more aggressive tillage operations and a reported decline in soil quality. Preserving soil health and improving nutrient use efficiencies are compelling reasons for renewed interest among a number of farmers in more biologically based soil-building alternatives. Although no-tillage vegetable production systems have been successfully developed and used with advantage in a number of cropping contexts throughout the world, very little work has been carried out on no-till techniques in California. This research evaluates the effectiveness of surface organic mulches in no-tillage processing tomato production systems for suppressing weeds without herbicides, providing nutrients and thereby reducing synthetic fertilizer requirements, maintaining optimal soil temperatures for tomato crop growth and productivity and increasing crop water use efficiencies. Companion cover crop screening trials evaluate prospective fall- and winter-growing species mixtures for growth, nitrogen productivity and potential utility in no-till systems.

Jeff Mitchell, UC Cooperative Extension specialist, Department of Vegetable Crops, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, (530) 752-0516, fax: (530) 752-9659, email: mitchell@uckac.edu

Tom Lanini, UC Cooperative Extension specialist, Department of Vegetable Crops, UC Davis
Steve Temple, UC Cooperative Extension specialist, Department of Agronomy, UC Davis
Tim Prather, UC Cooperative Extension regional IPM advisor, Kearney Agricultural Center
Don May, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, Fresno County
Kurt Hembree, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, Fresno County
Gene Miyao, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, Yolo/Solano counties

 

Soil Management, Plant Nutrition and Pest Management

Determination of the Effect of Cover Crops on Lettuce Drop Disease

Lettuce drop is a widespread soilborne disease of lettuce in the Salinas Valley and other coastal lettuce growing regions. The disease causes substantial economic loss when sclerotia, the resting structures of the pathogen, build up in the soil. Resistant cultivars are not available, and growers rely on synthetic fungicides for managing the disease. Cover crops may influence sclerotial levels by either acting as host plants or as organic substrates; in both cases, sclerotia may increase in the soil. Conversely, cover crops may increase soil microbial diversity and actually help reduce disease incidence or severity.

The first phase of the study evaluated selected cover crops to examine whether lettuce drop increased or decreased. These cover crops included Phacelia, two species of vetch, and Austrian pea. Results of this research indicated that these cover crops became significantly infected by this pathogen, resulting in increased lettuce drop. It should be noted that this is a small plot study that used high inoculum density to induce disease. During the second phase of the study, sudangrass, broccoli residues and manure/yard waste compost were also evaluated for disease suppression. Results from this phase of the study indicated that the sudangrass, broccoli residue, and compost did not decrease or increase the percent viability of sclerotia, nor did the treatment show an impact on the lettuce drop incidence of the subsequent lettuce crop.

Steven Koike, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, Monterey County, 1432 Abbott Street, Salinas, CA 93901, (408) 759-7356, fax: (408) 758-3018, email: stkoike@ucdavis.edu

Richard F. Smith, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, San Benito County
Louise Jackson, associate professor, Department of Vegetable Crops, UC Davis

 

Subsurface Drip Irrigation for Soilborne Disease Management in Lettuce

Many vegetable crop growers in the Salinas Valley are converting to subsurface drip irrigation because of the benefits that it offers. These benefits include greater water use efficiency, incremental and steady application of nitrogen and water, and reduced drainage and nitrate leaching. In addition, previous research by this investigator has shown that subsurface drip irrigation reduces corky root and lettuce drop, two serious soilborne diseases. This project examined the effects of subsurface drip and furrow irrigation on the yield, incidence, and severity of lettuce drop, downy mildew, and corky root on two cultivars of lettuce. Additionally, the project studied the incidence of lettuce drop in fungicide-sprayed and unsprayed plots under both types of irrigation. Results of the study indicated that the incidence of lettuce drop and corky root severity were significantly lower and yields were higher in plots under subsurface irrigation compared with furrow irrigation. Incidence and severity of downy mildew was not significantly different between the two irrigation systems. Under subsurface drip irrigation there were no significant differences between fungicide-sprayed and unsprayed plots. In addition to reducing the lettuce drop incidence, subsurface irrigation can also reduce or prevent fungicide use, thus saving on the fungicide costs for lettuce drop control.

Krishna Subbarao, specialist, Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, U.S. Agricultural Research Station, 1636 E Alisal Street, Salinas, CA 93905, (408) 758-3018, fax: (408) 758-3018, email:kvsubbarao@ucdavis.edu

 

Alternative Postharvest Treatments for Decay and Insect Control

Consumer demand for pesticide-free produce is increasing while consumers also continue to expect insect-free and decay-free products. This project evaluates the two important benign postharvest treatments, high carbon dioxide atmospheres and heat treatments, for their effects on decay and insect control on grapes, pears, leafy greens, tomatoes, and peppers. Heat treatments are applied to peppers and tomatoes to control decay; Thompson Seedless table grapes are being treated with high CO₂ atmospheres to control Botrytis rot and insects during storage or transport; short-term high CO₂ treatments at lower temperatures are applied to a diversity of leafy greens to control insects; and Bartlett pears are treated with a combination of high CO₂ and heat for control of codling moth.

Marita Cantwell, specialist, Department of Vegetable Crops, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, (530)752-7305, fax: (530) 752-9659, email: micantwell@ucdavis.edu

Elizabeth Mitcham, specialist, Department of Pomology, UC Davis

 

Fostering Transition Toward Balanced Predator/Prey Mite Populations In Vineyards Using Narrow Range Summer Oil

Spider mites are consistent pests of grapes in California. Dusty conditions and vine water stress, which are common in much of the raisin-producing area of the central San Joaquin Valley, encourage mite outbreaks. Propargite (Omite) is most frequently applied because of its effectiveness on Pacific mite and low toxicity to predatory arthropods, but it has a 30-day re-entry period and is scheduled for cancellation due to the Delaney Clause. Narrow-range summer oils have a very short re-entry period (12 hours) and resistance has never been reported. This project examines whether the use of summer oils will result in lower levels of prey mites while preserving predator mites. If successful, it will provide growers with a way to make the transition from a control program that relies on chemical treatment to one that includes taking advantage of natural predator/prey relationships.

Michael Costello, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, Fresno County, 1720 S. Maple Avenue, Fresno, CA 93702, (209) 456-7567, fax: (209) 456-7575, email: mjcostello@ucdavis.edu

Richard Coviello, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, Fresno County
Walt Bentley, UC Cooperative Extension regional IPM advisor, Kearney Agricultural Center
William Peacock, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, Tulare County

 

Ecology of a Group of Generalist Predators, the Green Lacewings, and Their Contribution to Biological Control in Almonds and Walnuts

The evolution of pesticide resistance and the environmental costs of insecticide use are motivating almond and walnut growers to seek non-chemical methods of pest control. One such method is biological control, which uses predators and parasitoids to control insect and mite pests. The ecology of generalist predators is, however, poorly understood, making it difficult to manipulate predators for pest control. This project aims to develop an understanding of the ecology of a key group of generalist predators, the green lacewings (family Chrysopidae), in almond and walnut orchards. Furthermore, this project examines the abundance of other dominant species of generalist predators, such as spiders, ants, and predatory mites.

Jay Rosenheim, associate professor, Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, (530)752-4395, fax: (530) 752-1537, email: jarosenheim@ucdavis.edu

 

Alternate Side Irrigation to Control Root Rot in Avocados

Phytophthora root rot of avocado has devastated thousands of acres of trees in California. Without treatment, tree decline and death can be rapid. Recent work on root rot has centered on breeding resistant or tolerant root stocks, rather than the treatment of currently infected trees. A chemical treatment (Fosetyl-Al, a phosphonate-based fungicide) used as a trunk injection recently lost its Section 18 conditional use permit. Foliar applications of this chemical are expensive and difficult to apply. This project seeks to test the efficacy of using alternate side irrigation to control Phytophthora root rot in avocados. Rather than applying water to the same portion of the tree’s root zone during each irrigation event, this experiment applies irrigation water on alternating sides of each tree row. The wet side provides adequate soil moisture levels to prevent tree stress and possible yield loss. The dry side provides poor conditions for the development of Phytophthora cinnamomi. Alternating wet/dry cycles are expected to diminish P. cinnamomi populations while allowing tree feeder roots to develop and extract soil moisture and nutrients. In addition, the effects of the interaction of greenwaste mulch application with and without alternate side irrigation on Phytophthora root rot are evaluated.

Gary Bender, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, San Diego County, 5555 Overland Avenue, Bldg. 4, San Diego, CA 92123, (619) 694-2856, fax: (619) 694-2849, email: gsbender@ucdavis.edu

Matthew Haynes, Agriculture Irrigation Water Management program director, Mission Resource Conservation District, Fallbrook

 

Development of a N-Fertilizer Recommendation Model to Improve N-Use Efficiency and to Alleviate Nitrate Pollution to Ground Water from Almond Orchards

Overfertilization in almond orchards is due, in part, to a lack of reliable tools for measuring tree N status, tree N demand, and soil N availability. The purpose of this project is to provide better tools for distinguishing between fertilizer applications that are essential and those that are excessive, and to provide growers with fertilizer application guidelines to obtain optimum yield while minimizing the potential pollution to the environment. The project conducts field validation of leaf nitrate analysis in almond, while developing an on-site testing protocol, and determines seasonal and total N demand in almonds. Furthermore, the project develops a grower-used PC-based site-specific N management program.

Patrick Brown, associate professor, Department of Pomology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, (530)752-0929, fax: (530) 752-8502, email: phbrown@ucdavis.edu

Steven Weinbaum, professor, Department of Pomology, UC Davis
Qinglong Zhang, postdoctoral researcher, Department of Pomology, UC Davis

 

The Impact of a Sustainable Agricultural Practice with Grapes on Pesticide Use in California

This project examines the sustainable, non-pesticidal, and economically viable practice of canopy management, primarily conducted through leaf removal, in controlling Botrytis bunch rot in grapes. Changes in agricultural use of fungicides on grapes between 1990 and 1995 are documented through the investigation of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s Pesticide Use Report. The study also aims to estimate the extent to which leaf removal has been incorporated into standard practice in California, and is conducting an analysis of on-farm costs of leaf pruning vs. fungicide application. Finally, an analysis is being done of the reasons for success or any impediments to further incorporation of this sustainable practice into California agriculture.

Lynn Epstein, associate professor, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, (510) 643-9224, fax: (510) 642-7428, email: lepstein@uclink.berkeley.edu

 

Do Soils Suppressive of Phylloxera Exist?

Grape phylloxera is a serious pest of California vineyards, feeding on grapevine roots and allowing entry of secondary fungal rot organisms. The damage by the insect and rot organisms can kill or severely stunt vines. No work has been done on the community ecology/natural enemy complex of the insect. Anecdotal accounts in California as well as research from eastern Europe in the 1960s and 1970s indicate that there is potential for biological control of phylloxera. This study aims to determine if vineyards exist that are ecologically suppressive to phylloxera, and to begin the process of characterizing the community ecology/natural enemy complex of phylloxera in California vineyards. The project examines whether soils exist that are suppressive to phylloxera growth or secondary pathogen infection, and if so, determines whether management methods can foster this suppression.

Jeffrey Granett, professor, Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, (530) 752-7650, fax: (530) 752-1537, email: jgranett@ucdavis.edu

David Rizzo, associate professor, Department of Plant Pathology, UC Davis
Donald Lotter, graduate student, Department of Entomology, UC Davis

 

Role of the Soil Microbial Community in Suppression of Rhizoctonia Stem Rot Disease in Cauliflower

Fungicides are applied in the greenhouse plant production industries (ornamental and vegetable) to control soil borne plant pathogens. The intense cultural and management practices in these industries also lend themselves to integrated pest management programs that include the use of biologicals. This project provides an improved means of selecting microbial biological control agents. Researchers build on information from preliminary studies with Rhizoctonia solani suppressive soils in a field at the UC West Side Research and Extension Center that have been continuously cropped to tomatoes for ten years. The suppressive quality of this soil is stable but sensitive to mild heat treatments (104°-115°), which provides an unusual opportunity to isolate the microbial components of these soils responsible for disease suppression. Heat-sensitive microbes will be tested singly and in concert for their ability to suppress Rhizoctonia stem rot of Cauliflower in a range of amended soils. Depending upon the results of this work, it may be possible to extend this method to other disease suppressive soils. A simple method of forecasting soil suppressiveness (and lack of it) to certain diseases could have very wide application in crop planning.

Joseph Hancock, professor, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, (510) 643-9223, fax: (510) 642-7438, email: hancock@violet.berkeley.edu

Andrew Magyarosy, Department of Plant Biology, UC Berkeley

 

Impact of Border Companion Plants on Natural Enemy Performance in an Augmentative Biological Control Program in California Strawberries

The $600 million California strawberry industry accounts for 75 percent of fresh strawberries consumed in the U.S. Two-thirds of the crop is grown on the Central Coast and in Santa Maria, where its primary pest is the native tarnished plant bug, Lygus hesperus. Current control strategies involve multiple applications of insecticides, including pyrethroids, which are disruptive to natural enemies of other strawberry pests. An alternative, more selective control strategy for the tarnished plan bug may include the use of its natural enemy, Anaphes iole, a native egg parasitoid. Augmentative biological control involving periodic releases of natural enemies is a viable non-disruptive alternative pest management strategy but it has shown limited success in agriculture. Failure is partially due to the tendency to treat the release organisms as biotic insecticides with little regard to their biology. This research examines biological constraints in an existing augmentative program for enhancing efficacy. The system includes the herbivore, Lygus hesperus, and the native natural enemy, Anaphes iole, in California strawberries. Under the existing release program, Anaphes does not appear to establish resident populations within strawberry fields, necessitating frequent releases. This research examines the effectiveness of strawberry flowers and border companion plants (planted as nectar sources) as factors that enhance the establishment of resident insect populations of on performance of Anaphes iole. Field trials are conducted in collaboration with conventional growers on the Central Coast. Comparisons are made on Lygus densities, fruit damage, parasitism levels and generalist predator populations in strawberry fields with and without bordering companion plants. If successful, this program will provide growers a means of making the transition from conventional to sustainable strawberry farming.

Stephen Welter, associate professor, Department of Entomology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, (510) 642-2355, fax: (510) 642-7428, email: welters@nature.berkeley.edu

Sujaya Udayagiri, postdoctoral fellow, Department of Entomology, UC Berkeley

 

Livestock

Assessing the Environmental Risk from Rangeland Cattle Shedding Cryptosporidium parvum in Their Feces

Livestock grazing on California rangeland is central to the economic viability of many ranchers of this state, yet livestock are perceived to be a leading source of microbial contamination for surface water. This water quality issue has reached unparalleled scrutiny with respect to the protozoal parasite Cryptosporidium parvum. The life-threatening disease induced by C. parvum for immunosuppressed humans, and large municipal water-borne outbreaks of C. parvum gastroenteritis in humans, have raised questions among ranchers, government regulators and watershed managers as to whether cattle grazing is a leading source of these water-borne pathogens and how best to minimize these possible impacts equitably.

This research assesses the actual risk cattle grazing has on concentrations of C. parvum in surface water and identifies range characteristics that might modify these risks. The project determines whether and under what conditions C. parvum oocysts (eggs) shed in the feces of rangeland beef cattle can survive the ambient temperatures typical of California rangeland from spring through fall, depending on the elevation level of the rangeland.

Edward R. Atwill, extension veterinarian, UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center, 18830 Road 112, Tulare, CA 93274, (209) 688-1731, fax: (209) 686-4231, email: ratwill@vmtrc.ucdavis.edu

Ted Jones, senior statistician, UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center, Tulare County

 

History of Grazing on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest: Implications for the Future

The objective of this project is to reconstruct the history of grazing on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and determine the cause for the tenfold reduction of grazing activity in the area. This research also aims to analyze the relationship between federal grazing policy as implemented at the allotment level and changes in the use and management of base properties. This information will provide insight into causes of land use change over the last 100 years. The information developed from this study could be used to demonstrate how reduction in livestock grazing on public land translates to private land use decisions. The data sources for the study include historic USFS documents, archival research and interviews of current and past grazing tenants.

Larry Forero, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, Shasta County, 1851 Hartnell Avenue, Redding, CA 96002, (530) 224-4900, fax: (530) 224-4904, email: lcforero@ucdavis.edu

Melvin George, extension range and pasture specialist, Department of Agronomy and Range Science, UC Davis

 

Controlled Grazing on Foothill Rangelands

This project addresses the expressed needs of northern California livestock producers for research-based information on controlled grazing and sustainable livestock production practices. Through the development of a 250-acre watershed site at the Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center, this project will demonstrate and document the effects of the application of controlled grazing principles on the foothill rangeland/annual grassland and hillside irrigated pastures of the project area. Furthermore, it will demonstrate how land owners and ranchers can monitor the effects of these practices so that they can decide for themselves whether controlled grazing is appropriate for their business. The project will also address public concerns about the environmental impact of grazing.

The site has been subdivided into 22 rangeland and two irrigated pasture paddocks, fenced, and supplied with water. Research projects are underway which examine the effects of controlled grazing on the environment, livestock performance, and profitability, and an analysis of the potential of spring calving on annual rangeland. The site is also being used as a demonstration project on low-stress livestock handling and appropriate tools and equipment for pasture management and livestock control. Educational projects include the Grazing Academy, which emphasizes the practical application of controlled grazing principles and demonstrates fencing and water innovations.

Roger Ingram, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, Placer and Nevada County, 11477 E Avenue, Auburn, CA 95603, (530) 889-7385, fax: (530) 889-7397, email: rsingram@ucdavis.edu

David Pratt, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, Solano County
John Maas, UC Cooperative Extension veterinarian, Veterinary Medicine Extension, UC Davis

 

The Contribution of Ranch Roads, Cattle Trails and Bed Load
to the Sediment Budget for a Grazed Watershed in the Central Sierra Foothills

Erosion and sedimentation are natural processes that may be accelerated by land use practices. Livestock grazing is often implicated as a source of sediment in grazed watersheds. This project measures the impact of sediment from dirt roads and cattle trails, as well as bed load sediments in the stream channel as part of the watershed’s sediment budget. The utility of sediment traps for rapid, cost-effective monitoring of sediment delivery to stream channels are also measured.

Melvin R. George, extension range and pasture specialist, Department of Agronomy and Range Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, (530) 752-1720, fax: (530) 752-4361, email: mrgeorge@ucdavis.edu

Ken Tate, UC Cooperative Extension specialist, Agronomy and Range Science, UC Davis

 

Environmental Fate and Characterization of Selenium Supplemented to Intensively Grazed Beef Cattle

Selenium (Se) deficiency is one of the most common conditions diagnosed in California cattle. The need to supplement cattle and other livestock species with selenium in California is widespread. Failure to provide adequate selenium to cattle results in disease, decreased productivity, decreased feed efficiency, decreased animal welfare, and economic losses to producers, particularly small family ranches. However, there is also widespread concern about the potential for environmental selenium accumulation. This project gathers data describing the environmental fate of selenium supplemented to cattle. Selenium levels will be measured in water flowing through pastures used by selenium-supplemented cattle or pastures fertilized with selenium, as well as plants and soils in these pastures, and compared with control sites. Furthermore, the chemical forms and quantities of selenium in cattle excreta, both from selenium-supplemented and selenium-deficient animals will be determined and examined in greenhouse experiments.

John Maas, veterinarian, Veterinary Medicine Extension, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, (530) 752-3990, fax: (530) 752-7563, email: jmaas@ucdavis.edu

Roland Meyer, soils specialist, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis
Dan Drake, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, Yreka
Michael Oliver, research associate, Veterinary Medicine Extension, UC Davis
J. Michael Connor, center superintendent, Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center, Browns Valley, CA
Gamani Jayaweera, assistant research water scientist, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis
James Biggar, professor emeritus, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis

 

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Community Development and Public Policy

Community Food Systems

Impacts of Local Food Systems on Communities and Agriculture: Reason for the Season

This project is providing important educational strategies to support the PlacerGROWN Ag Marketing Program that is encouraging greater purchasing and production of local agricultural products to create a more stable and sustainable community. The project is attempting to increase consumer awareness and responsibility for their role in creating sustainable communities. Through the development of a regional food guide, consumers are educated about the benefits of purchasing locally produced, processed and distributed food that is geared to seasonal availability. Emphasis is placed on developing baseline data that will assist in measuring the impacts of the PlacerGROWN program over the three years of the project. A historical review of the county food system is being conducted to determine the potential for expanding and diversifying local ag production in a sustainable manner.

Sharon Junge, UC Cooperative Extension County Director, Placer County, 11477 E Avenue, Auburn, CA 95603, (530) 889-7385, fax: (530) 889-7397, email: skjunge@ucdavis.edu

Roger Ingram, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, Placer County
Garth Veerkamp, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, Placer County

 

Community Food Security/Direct Marketing/Urban Gardens

Expanding Direct Marketing Opportunities for Community Food Security and to Reduce Pesticide Use

This project explored direct marketing opportunities for reducing pesticide use and developing community food security in poor and low-income areas. Researchers conducted a feasibility study for developing a community supported agriculture (CSA or subscription farm) structure with farmers who sell at the Gardena farmers’ market, located in a mixed low- and middle-income neighborhood in southwest Los Angeles. The results of this research were made available to other farmers’ market associations and growers as well as community groups and food security advocates. Based on research results, a program will be developed to encourage farmers’ market CSAs throughout California and work with sustainable agriculture groups to highlight such programs as an effective strategy for linking sustainable agriculture concerns with community food security.

Robert Gottlieb, former professor, UCLA; currently, professor at Occidental College, Los Angeles, (213)259-2712, fax: (213)259-2734, email: Gottlieb@oxy.edu

Marion Kalb, executive director, Southland Farmers’ Market Association, Los Angeles
Carolyn Olney, associate director, Southland Farmers’ Market Association, Los Angeles

 

Food Security in Santa Cruz, CA: Building a Foundation for Community Action

This two-year project addresses food security issues in the city of Santa Cruz through research, policy analysis, community networking, and publications to support the development of a local food policy council. Guided by an advisory team that includes local stakeholders as well as experts in food policy and community food security, this project assesses food security in Santa Cruz, including identifying those who are most at risk nutritionally, and the reasons behind this risk. A comprehensive review of local, regional, state, and national programs and policies that affect local food security will be conducted. This information will provide critical background for organizations and communities interested in increasing food security. To ensure that this effort has relevance outside of Santa Cruz, the project plans to produce and disseminate a manual and resource guide on community food security analysis. Finally, a conference will be planned to initiate a Santa Cruz food policy council.

Patricia Allen, outreach coordinator, Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, (408) 459-4243, fax: (408) 459-2799

Jackelyn Lundy, associate director, Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, University of California, Santa Cruz

 

Pomona-Inland Valley Council of Churches Food Security Project

The Pomona-Inland Valley Council of Churches is an ecumenical organization composed of 83 member churches throughout the Pomona Valley/Inland Empire Region which responds to the needs of the hungry and homeless with direct services such as food and shelter, and identifies the root cause of these problems in an effort to work toward systemic change. The Food Security Project links to a broader effort to build local food security with the goal that low-income individuals and families can obtain a nutritionally adequate, culturally acceptable diet by moving from an emergency response to hunger to a prevention model. The project aims to address the nutritional needs of impoverished communities through direct food distribution, nutrition education, and cooking classes. The project will also increase the capacity of the community to produce its own nutritious food through on-site nutrition and horticultural training at a local community garden.

Joyce Ewen, executive director, Pomona-Inland Valley Council of Churches, 1753 N. Park Avenue, Pomona, CA 91768, (909) 622-3806, fax: (909) 622-0484

 

Natural Beef: Consumer Acceptability, Market Development and Economics

Current systems of beef production require significant investments in feed grains and fossil fuel in order to "finish" cattle for consumer demand. Since cattle feeding occurs primarily in the plains states, transporting cattle from the region of production reduces income to California rural communities. The increased emphasis on natural, lower fat products by consumers suggests that this is an appropriate time to evaluate the acceptability of a forage-fed, natural beef product.

This project is designed as a community-based program with the primary intention of demonstrating the feasibility of an alternative, sustainable food system that stabilizes family ranchers and rural communities. A broad team of researchers and practitioners are participating in the project, including ranchers and experts from California State University Chico and UC Cooperative Extension. The project aims to evaluate the consumer acceptability of a grass-fed product developed on California annual rangelands, characterize the demographics of the potential market, determine the economic feasibility of this marketing alternative, and develop a marketing plan for producers.

Glenn Nader, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, Sutter/Yuba counties, 142-A Garden Hwy, Yuba City, CA 95991, (530) 741-7515, fax: (530) 673-5368, email: ganader@ucdavis.edu

David Daley, professor, College of Agriculture, CSU Chico
Richard Baldy, professor, College of Agriculture, CSU Chico
Sheila Barry, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, Tehama County
Larry Forero, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, Shasta/Trinity counties
Annette Levi, professor, College of Agriculture, CSU Chico

 

Evaluating Farmers’ Markets in Low-Income Communities

Despite the benefits of improved access to quality, affordable produce to consumers and additional income for growers, farmers’ markets are often difficult to establish and maintain in low-income communities. This research and education project seeks to determine the factors that make for successful farmers’ markets in low-income neighborhoods. Case studies of successful inner city farmers’ markets from across the country will be developed based upon existing evaluations and extensive interviews with farmers, consumers, managers, and others. Similarly, the project will examine examples in California that have failed or stagnated to determine the factors contributing to their failure or flat sales trends. Results of this study will be made available through publications, presentations, trainings, and technical assistance activities associated with Community Food Security Act funding.

Andrew Fisher, Coordinator, Community Food Security Coalition, P.O. Box 209, Venice, CA 90294, (310) 822-5410, email: asfisher@aol.com

Patrick Madden, executive vice president, World Sustainable Agriculture Association, Los Angeles

 

Urban Food Project

The Urban Food Project aims to develop inner city agriculture through the use of vacant and public lands for food production. A community food system is being developed through the establishment of community supported agriculture, local markets for urban- produced food, and more efficient use of existing urban-produced foods. Five job trainees from BOSS’ Homeless Transition Project have received training in intensive farming methods and work with children from a local middle school who participate in the Willard Greening Program, a school garden project.

Yolanda Huang, Willard Greening Project Coordinator, 2122 Prince Street, Berkeley, CA 94705, (510) 549-9121, fax: (510) 841-8096

Julia Ishimaru, Urban Food Project Coordinator, Berkeley

 

Rethinking Direct Marketing Approaches to Low-Income Communities and Urban Market Gardens

Small-scale urban market gardening has the potential to strengthen community food security through its visibility and potential to improve access. Of particular concern is the development of direct marketing approaches appropriate to low-income inner city communities that simultaneously support small farming enterprises and potentially link to regional food systems. This research project examines current limitations and potential actions to better connect low-income communities and local, sustainably grown produce. Farmers’ market consumers, local residents, and families affiliated with Berkeley Youth Alternatives, a community-based youth organization serving predominantly low-income at-risk youth, will be surveyed to analyze existing food distribution systems, eating habits, and direct marketing participation in low/moderate-income communities. Research and survey data will be analyzed in conjunction with an advisory council of related academics and professionals. The results of the survey will be used to develop a pilot direct marketing project specifically directed toward low-income urban communities.

Laura Lawson, Berkeley Youth Alternatives, 3016 Filbert Street, #2, Oakland, CA 94608, (510) 595-0688, fax: (510) 595-1486, email: llawson@ced.berkeley,edu

Marcia McNally, researcher, Community Development by Design, Berkeley
Alison Lingane, garden coordinator, Berkeley Youth Alternatives, Berkeley
Jennifer Shaw, graduate student, Department of Public Health, UC Berkeley

 

Consumer/Youth Education

Market Cooking for Kids: Developing Children’s Consciousness of Regional Sustainable Agriculture

Market Cooking for Kids is an innovative cooking and science program for children that combines hands-on education about the biology and production of local seasonal foods, with basic cooking instruction about how to appreciate and prepare these foods. This project provides urban school children, primarily from low-income backgrounds, the opportunity to learn about local agriculture and good nutrition by tasting, preparing, and studying fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. This collaborative effort among the San Francisco Unified School District, local restaurants, produce businesses, and farmers’ markets offers an integrated approach that will increase the opportunities for participating children to get excited about locally produced foods and feel connected to regional farms.

Sibella Kraus, director, Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture, 1417 Josephine Street, Berkeley, CA 94703, (510) 526-2788, fax: (510) 524-7153, email: sfpmc@igc.apc.org

 

Farming, Agriculture and Resource Management for Sustainability

FARMS is a partnership among Sierra Orchards, University of California, Davis, California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom and Yolo County Resource Conservation District. The program combines science, agriculture and education in an effort to expand agricultural outreach efforts in youth education. In the FARMS program, high school students from both urban and rural districts are given the opportunity to investigate the interactions among science, technology and agriculture to promote an understanding of progressive agricultural practices and environmental balance. Students are also required to complete a project that gives them experience in designing and conducting research relevant to agricultural issues.

Richard Engel, project coordinator, California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, 1601 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815, (916)924-4380, fax: (916) 923-5318.

Mark Linder, president, California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom
Craig McNamara, farmer, Sierra Orchards, Winters, CA
Linda Whent, teacher education supervisor, Department of Agronomy and Range Science, UC Davis

 

Land Use and Water Policy

Using Water Transfers to Promote Rural Sustainable Development

Ensuring an adequate water supply in California involves balancing competing agricultural, urban, and environmental issues. Solutions to the state’s water problems hinge on the understanding that water is a shared community resource vital to fulfilling individual and public values that must be managed sustainably and equitably. This project aimed to better understand the impacts of water transfers on the communities of origin, the agricultural economy, and the environment by identifying regions likely to lose water and developing criteria for monitoring, measuring, and mitigating impacts. The project also developed water transfer policy alternatives that facilitate the reallocation of water without undermining agriculture, the economic and social well-being of people in rural communities, and the environment. These alternatives contribute to long-term efforts to preserve the quality of land resources in the state, while promoting community and civic participation in the approval process.

Santos Gomez, senior research associate, Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment, and Security, 1204 Preservation Park Way, Oakland, CA 94612, (510) 251-1600, fax: (510) 251-2203

Penn Loh, research associate, Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment, and Security, Oakland

 

A Spatially Explicit Vineyard Expansion Model: Addressing Crop Production, Public Policy and Environmental Concerns

In northern California the most widespread agricultural development is in vineyard expansion. Rapid land conversion from open hardwood rangelands to vineyards increases habitat fragmentation which in turn affects the natural resources that the land currently supports. This research project will develop a spatially explicit GIS model to predict where undeveloped, potentially productive grape-growing land is located and address the consequences of vineyard expansion into these areas for oak woodland habitat and watershed function. This model will also be compared with results from research on modeling future urban expansion to determine where conflicts at the urban-agriculture interface may occur.

Adina Merenlender, UC Cooperative Extension specialist, UC Hopland Research and Extension Center, 4070 University Road, Hopland, CA 95449, (707) 744-1270, fax: (707) 744-1040, email: adina@nature.berkeley.edu

 

Socio-Economic Analysis of Rotational Management of Wetlands and Cropland in the Tulelake Basin

A multidisciplinary and community-based research project is underway to assess the feasibility of wetland/cropland rotations as a long-term management option for sustainable coexistence of irrigated agriculture and wetland reserves in the Tulelake Basin, in Siskiyou and Modoc counties. This research, as part of the larger project, will develop an assessment modeling framework combining GIS-based economic, hydrologic, and environmental models for estimating the effects on farm profitability and overall economic activity, and the environmental changes for different management options. Interviews will be conducted to document positions and values about agriculture and wildlife in the area. A GIS database and digital map for the region including information on topology, climate, infrastructure, crop and wetland history, and other relevant information will be developed. The project aims to create and implement innovative cost/benefit frameworks that incorporate spatial and temporal aspects of potential trade-offs and threshold boundaries for management decision-making. Agency personnel and advisory groups representing farming, environmental, and hunting interests will be involved in all stages of the project. Approaches developed here have potential application to other areas where agriculture and conservation reserves coexist.

Carol Shennan, former associate professor/physiologist, Department of Vegetable Crops, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, (530) 752-7566, fax: (530) 752-9659. Now director of the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, UC Santa Cruz)

Michael W. Gjerde, Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics, UC Davis
Collin Boda, Energy and Resource Group, UC Berkeley

 

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Grants for Educational Events

In 1996 and 1997, SAREP supported 19 educational events by providing a total of $28,465 in small grants. Grants were awarded to Cooperative Extension personnel and non-profit educational organizations which provided practical information about sustainable farming and ranching practices and community economic development. Final reports from 1996 show that more than 450 individuals participated in the events funded through these grants. Attendance figures for 1997 were not available at the time this report was written. The specific meetings funded in each year are listed below.

1996 Grants for Educational Events

A Mobile Workshop on the Scientific Basis of The Conversion Process of High Input Conventional Systems to Agroecological Management. Miguel Altieri, Department of Environmental Science, UC Berkeley. $1,000

Sustainable Production in the San Joaquin Valley: Grapes, Citrus, Nut Crops, and Stone Fruits. Mark Freeman, UC Cooperative Extension, Fresno County; Michael Costello, UC Cooperative Extension, Fresno County. $2,000

The California Grazing Academy. Roger Ingram, UC Cooperative Extension, Placer/Nevada counties. $1,000

The Lighthouse Farm Network Educational Events. Jill Klein, Richard Reed, Lighthouse Farm Network, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, Davis. $5,000 to support the following meetings:

• On-Farm Composting Demonstration (Hollister)
• Biological Control of Artichoke Plum Moth (Davenport)
• Beneficial Insect Identification (in Spanish) (Salinas)
• Beneficial Insect Release and Identification in Citrus (Orange Cove)
• Cover Crop Planting and Mowing Demonstration (Fillmore)

Determining the Cost of Forage Production and Grazing Land Rental to Maintain Sustainable Beef Cattle Operations. Stephanie Larson, UC Cooperative Extension, Sonoma County. $1,000

Workshop on Agriculture/Wetlands Coordination in the Tulare Lake Basin. Douglas Parker, Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics, UC Berkeley; Lee Fitzhugh, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, UC Davis; Bruce Roberts, UC Cooperative Extension, Kings County; Allan Fulton, UC Cooperative Extension, Kings County. $1000

Sustainable Practices Marketing Initiative. Paul Vossen, UC Cooperative Extension, Sonoma County; Michael Dimock, Sunflower Strategies. $1,000

A Workshop on Vertebrate Pest Management in Agriculture. Desley Whisson, Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology, UC Davis. $1,000

1997 Grants for Educational Events

Baled Straw as an Energy Efficient Alternative Material for Low-Cost Construction in Rural Communities. William Brooks, Central Coast Conservation and Development Council, Morro Bay [Workshop held in Salinas]. $1,000

Jubilee Farm Project. Linda Chase, Stockton Emergency Food Bank, Stockton. $1,000 to support the following meetings:

• Composting
• Biological Pest Control

Fighting New Pests of Avocados Biologically. Jan Dietrick, Dietrick Institute for Applied Insect Ecology, Ventura [Workshops held in Santa Paula and Santa Maria]. $1,530

The California Grazing Academy. Roger Ingram, UC Cooperative Extension, Placer/Nevada counties. $1,000

The Lighthouse Farm Network. Jill Klein and Judith Redmond, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, Davis. $5,000 to support the following meetings:

• Doing Research on Your Farm (Woodland)
• Biological Control of Strawberries on the Central Coast (Watsonville)
• Beneficial Insect Identification and Worker Safety Training (in Spanish) (Madison)
• Integrating Livestock on the Farm (Hollister)
• Building Soil Fertility with Cover Crops and Compost (Porterville)

Producing Wool to Meet Organic Standards for the Sustainability of the Sheep Industry. Stephanie Larson, UC Cooperative Extension, Sonoma County. $1,000

Integrated Nutsedge Management. Milt McGiffen, Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, UC Riverside; Carl Bell, UC Cooperative Extension, Imperial County. $935

Commissioning of An Advanced Integrated Wastewater Ponding System for the Treatment and Reclamation of Dairy Waste at Kehoe Dairy, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California. William Oswald, Department of Environmental Engineering and Public Health, UC Berkeley. $1,000

PlacerGROWN Farm Conference. Bob Roan, PlacerGROWN, Placer County. $1,000

Cover Cropping on the Central Coast. Kristen Schroeder, San Mateo Resource Conservation District. $1,000

Yellow Star Thistle Forum II. Cathy Darling, San Luis Obispo County Department of Agriculture; Brenda Ouwerkerk, Agriculture Commissioners Office; Michael Smith, UC Cooperative Extension, San Luis Obispo County. $1,000

 

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Sustainable Agriculture Graduate Awards

In 1992, SAREP began awarding small grants to graduate students pursuing research in sustainable agriculture. The Sustainable Agriculture Graduate Awards (SAGA) have been a good way for SAREP to use scarce resources as they complement already existing money within the university and help graduate students address critical issues facing agricultural producers and society. In FY 1995/96, six graduate students were awarded a total of $10,250 for sustainable agriculture projects:

Daniel Carroll, International Agriculture Development, UC Davis, $1,565 for "The Effects of Health and Safety Regulations and Labor Management Practices on Production Agriculture in California: A Case Study of Winegrape Operations in Sonoma and San Joaquin Counties."

Jacqueline Chu, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, San Jose State University, $900 for "Social and Environmental Restoration through Urban Therapeutic Gardens."

Clara Nicholls, Department of Entomology, UC Davis, $2,000 for "An Agroecological Strategy for the Conversion of Commercial Flower Production Systems to Low-Input Organic Management."

David Smethurst, Department of Geography, UC Berkeley, $2,000 for "The Effect of Changes in Landholding Patterns and Land Use on Vegetation in El Dorado County."

Jennifer Thaler, Department of Entomology, UC Davis, $1,939 for "Artificial Stimulation of Host Plant Defenses in Cultivated Tomato and Effects on the Herbivore and Natural Enemy Community."

Lynn Wunderlich, Department of Entomology, UC Davis, $1,846 for "Evaluating Release Techniques for Efficient Delivery of Green Lacewings (Chrysoperla rufilabris) for Control of Mealybug on Grapes (Pseudococcus maritimus [Ehrhorn]) and (Pseudococcus affinis [Maskell]): An On-Farm Study of Augmentative Biocontrol."

In FY 1996/97 one graduate student was awarded a SAGA grant:

Jo Ann Baumgartner, Department of Environmental Studies, San Jose State University, $2,000 for "Birds and Anthropod Predation of Codling Moth in Sustainable Apple Orchards."

 

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Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) Program

On September 28, 1994, Governor Pete Wilson signed Assembly Bill 3383 (Bornstein, Brown, and Snyder). The bill requested the Regents of the University of California to establish a pilot demonstration program to provide extension services, training and financial incentives for farmers who voluntarily participate in pilot projects to reduce their use of agricultural chemicals. The resulting program is known as Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS). Funds were provided from the U.S. Environmental Protection agency (US-EPA) and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s Food Safety Account to support the first two pilot projects. A full report to the California State Legislature (January 1997) describes the implementation of the BIFS program between January 1995 and December 1996. Key points are summarized here.

The University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (UC SAREP) was selected to administer the pilot program. A 13-member program advisory review board was appointed and policies and procedures were developed in accordance with the legislation to identify the first two pilot demonstration projects. The program director selected, with advice from the program advisory review board, the first two pilot demonstration projects: one involving winegrapes in the Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape Commission ("Winegrape BIFS") and one involving cotton and row crops in the West Side of the San Joaquin Valley ("West Side BIFS").

Winegrape BIFS

By the second year of the Winegrape BIFS project, 40 growers have allocated 56 vineyards as BIFS demonstration sites, a total of 2,023 acres. These 40 growers manage about 50 percent of the acreage of vineyards in the Lodi-Woodbridge Crush District #11. Cover crops and monitoring of pests, two practices noted in AB 3383 as characteristics of the desired farming systems, are used in over 90 percent of the Winegrape BIFS vineyards. In-season pest monitoring and a computer database for managing the monitoring information are particular strengths of this project.

West Side BIFS

The West Side BIFS project involves twelve farms that manage a total acreage of approximately 90,000 acres. Each farm has dedicated field sites of 80 acres or more to BIFS—a total of 1,653 acres in 17 field sites. The most notable success in this project is in the area of soil-building. All 17 BIFS plots received either compost (13 plots) or a cover crop (4 plots). At each site, BIFS plots are managed side-by-side with a conventionally managed plot making a total of 34 plots to be monitored for multiple parameters indicative of soil quality and pest population dynamics. During the first year, a majority of the farms were planted in processing tomatoes; in the second year, they were planted in cotton. During the second year, an intensive IPM monitoring program (including pest and beneficial arthropod species) was developed for the BIFS and conventional demonstration plots. This information was then distributed as a weekly report to all participating growers in an extension document entitled "Outstanding in Your Fields."

First year results from both projects have been reviewed by the program advisory review board and the program director. Specific suggestions and requirements for continued funding have been identified and communicated to the project coordinators.

Future Activities

New funding from US-EPA and the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources now permits SAREP to fund at least one additional project for up to three years. A new Request for Proposal is being developed and will be released in early 1998 for funding by mid-1998.

 

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