University, Vineyard Team, and Agency Win Grants for IPM
Steve Owens, assistant administrator for the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic-Substances, recently presented grants to agriculture researchers from the University of California at Berkeley, the Central Coast Vineyard Team and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation through the Pesticide Registration Improvement Renewal Act (PRIA) program.
The PRIA program aims to promote the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches to reduce pesticide risk. The grants will support the demonstration of innovative IPM practices, technologies, outreach and education.
“Integrated Pest Management practices are extremely important in order to reduce pesticide risk to human health and the environment,” remarked Owens. “EPA applauds these grant recipients for their dedication to projects that will promote the use of more environmentally friendly practices and reduce the use of pesticides.”
The three grants funded a range of projects:
- The University of California at Berkeley was awarded $249,687 for "Implementing Reduced Risk Alternatives for Management of Codling Moth in Walnuts."
- The Central Coast Vineyard Team in Paso Robles, Calif., was awarded $225,000 for "Reducing Pesticide Risk through the Adoption of Integrated Farming Practices in Central Coast Vineyards and Marketing Certified Sustainable Products.”
- The California Department of Pesticide Regulation was awarded $159,484 for "Reducing Volatile Compound Emissions from Pesticide Use in Nuts and Tree Fruit Orchards in California's San Joaquin Valley."