Closed
California state funding opportunity
Biologically Integrated Farming Systems
CA Department of Food and Agriculture
- Portal ID34046
- StatusClosed
Competitive proposals usually start 6+ weeks out.
Program summary
Synopsis
The goal of the Biologically Integrated Farming Systems grant is to provide outreach of innovative, biologically integrated plant-based farming systems that reduce chemical pesticide inputs. Projects from this program should demonstrate IPM-based alternative pest management options that focus on economical and efficacious biological and cultural pest management techniques that allow growers to maintain yields and quality.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Office of Pesticide Consultation and Analysis (OPCA) is pleased to announce grant funding available for the Biologically Integrated Farming Systems Program (BIFS). CDFA received a one-time appropriation for this program as part of the AB 179 Budget Act of 2022, and $1 million of this appropriation will be available during this funding cycle. For the current request for proposals (RFP), the maximum budget allowed is $1 million per project, though smaller projects are also encouraged to apply. The purpose of this RFP is to develop projects to demonstrate and refine outreach of innovative, biologically integrated farming systems that reduce chemical pesticide inputs. Proposals should advance the goals of California's Sustainable Pest Management (SPM) Roadmap, including efforts to 1) enhance knowledge, research, and technical assistance; 2) align pest control advisors (PCAs) with SPM; and 3) reduce economic risk for growers transitioning to SPM. Only public or private colleges and universities; local, State, and federal government entities including tribal governments; non-profit organizations; and commodity groups are eligible to apply. The project lead(s) and their institutions must be based in California though out-of-state collaborators are allowed. The focus of this RFP is on chemical pesticide reduction in crop-based farming systems. The objective of this program is to demonstrate and refine SPM-based farming projects designed to reduce chemical pesticide inputs, especially non-selective, biologically disruptive insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and fumigants that pose greater risk to human health or the environment. Applicants should discuss the risks of the pesticide(s) they are aiming to reduce. All aspects of the farming system may be considered as they relate to pest management, including factors such as adjacent landscapes, whether they are farmed or not. Projects will typically include all the following elements: On-farm demonstration/evaluation of an innovative, biologically based farming system, that employs SPM strategies; A collaborative outreach effort for sharing technical information about the farming system with growers, PCAs, commodity groups, and others engaged in pest management, and; An organized program for monitoring key biological and economic variables to inform on-farm decision making and evaluate project success.
Timeline
Key dates
-
June 9, 2023
Opportunity posted to California Grants Portal -
August 31, 2023
Applications close -
10/6/23
Expected award date
Who may apply
Eligibility
Eligible applicant types as published by the awarding agency:
- Individual
- Nonprofit
- Public Agency
- Tribal Government
- Additional info on eligibility
- Public or private colleges and universities, local, State, and federal government entities including tribal governments, non-profit organizations, and commodity groups are eligible to apply. The project lead(s) and their institutions must be based in California; out-of-state collaborators are allowed. California state agencies may not submit proposal applications but may be listed as subcontractors on other proposals.
Awarding agency
Additional information
- Agency name
- CA Department of Food and Agriculture
- Full announcement
- View the full announcement ↗
- Grantor contact
-
Brian Gress
1-916-926-1537
brian.gress@cdfa.ca.gov
Funding
Funding source
- Source
- State
- Funding method
- Reimbursement(s)
- Notes
- CDFA received a one-time appropriation for this program as part of the AB 179 Budget Act of 2022, and $1 million of this appropriation will be available during this funding cycle.
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