Archived Funding Opportunities for the Western IPM Center
Request for Grant Proposals
from U.S. EPA Region 9
Agriculture Initiative: Deadline May 11, 2001
Small Grants for Education and Demonstration on FQPA
"Transition" Efforts, through Integrated Farming Practices and
Reduced-Risk Alternatives for Pest/Crop Management
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9 Agriculture Initiative
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Introduction and Purpose
The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), passed by Congress in 1996, establishes health-based standards for pesticide residues in raw and processed food. It is intended to protect public health (particularly children’s health) from exposure to pesticides. FQPA is also intended to create an environment favorable for the development and adoption of lower risk, effective crop protection tools for U.S. agriculture. The Environmental Protection Agency, together with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is working on efforts to help implement the FQPA.
The EPA has established regional Pilot Programs for FQPA implementation and "transition." In this program, Region 9's activities include public education and outreach on FQPA and "sustainable" agriculture, and communication on the pesticide reassessment and registration issues. In this context, "transition" is interpreted as a positive opportunity to alleviate dependence on pesticides, reduce health and environmental risks, and move towards the widespread implementation of ecologically-based or Integrated Pest Management methods, and similar "sustainable" practices. ("Sustainable" agriculture refers to farming practices that are environmentally-sound, economically viable, and socially responsible.) Transition programs include partnerships with agriculture industry groups, growers, state agencies, university scientists and extension agents, and other non-profit organizations.
EPA Region 9's Agriculture Initiative is initiating a small-grant program in 2001-2002 aimed to help implement the Food Quality Protection Act and to support "transition" efforts. The program supports innovative efforts that enable growers to decrease reliance on agricultural chemicals while maintaining economical outcomes, by developing, demonstrating and/or applying reduced-risk alternatives and ecologically-based integrated approaches to pest management.
This grant program encourages "systems" approaches that integrate pest, soil and crop management practices. Although the focus is on reducing dependency on pesticides and developing alternatives to pesticides targeted under FQPA, a broader approach to problem-solving is looked upon favorably in the project proposals. For example, the program encourages development of practices such as cover-crop management, habitat or soil conservation, and/or biologically-based soil-building practices, or related innovations —which can serve multiple functions of reducing pest problems, enhancing soil fertility, and/or conserving natural resources, as well as decreasing chemical use.
Eligibility
This grant opportunity is open to non-profit organizations, including commodity groups/associations and farmers’ groups, extension and university programs, state government agencies, and tribes. Preference will be given to those projects that involve cooperation among diverse organizations and entail farmers’ active participation in the outreach and educational activities. The projects must be located in California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii or in the Pacific Trust Islands (which are in Region 9 of the Environmental Protection Agency).Criteria for Selection
The following criteria (or desirable characteristics) will be used in evaluating the grant proposals:A) The project will entail demonstration, extension, outreach and/or education on integrated or sustainable farming systems approaches and/or alternatives to pesticides impacted by FQPA decisions, and/or encourage widespread adoption of these integrated practices by growers;
B) The project will work towards achieving one or more of the following general objectives:
1) significantly reduce or eliminate the use of organophosphate, carbamate and carcinogenic pesticides identified in the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), in production systems; and/or
2) farmers’ adoption of reduced-risk alternatives and/or ecologically-based IPM or biologically integrated farming approaches that are economical, in significant acreage under commercial production; and/or
3) develop a "Pest Management Strategy Plan" (PMSP), through a participatory process involving growers and other stakeholders, and carry out implementation activities of the PMSP plan aimed to achieve FQPA transition (or IPM adoption) in specific commodities.
C) The project will use innovative and collaborative means for education, demonstration, or technology transfer, such as one or more of the following:
1) involve active participation or leadership of farmers (growers) and/or agriculture industry representatives in the project activities;
2) involve team-work among growers, scientists, extension officers, pest control advisors, or non-profit organizations and/or other partners. PMSP projects, noted above, should also involve USDA and EPA agency representatives.
3) use "farmer-to-farmer" training and communication methods, community participation, and/or other forms of public-private cooperation;
D) The applicants have relevant qualifications, experience/training, and capacities in the field of the proposed project.
E) Include an explanation of how the project will evaluate (and/or measure) the progress at achieving the stated objectives.
PLEASE NOTE: These small grants are not intended for basic research on this subject. Yet, it is fine if the projects include a component for applied on-farm research, as long as they also have demonstration, education and/or outreach activities.
Funding and Project Duration
Each award will be up to $30,000, and up to 5 grants will be awarded. The award will be available in October of 2001, and the funding can be used by the applicant for up to 2 years from the time that the grant is awarded.It is strongly encouraged that the projects leverage "matching" funds from other sources. However, matching funds are not required. For future years, additional funding from EPA R9 for this small-grant program focused on FQPA transition is anticipated, but it is not assured.
Application Process and Format
The proposal should be no more than 10 pages. It should include:A) Abstract (maximum of one page); Please include details of contact persons on this page.
B) Narrative Workplan (maximum of five pages). The workplan should consist of:
1) Brief background on the main issues or challenges;
2) Summary of specific objectives, main activities, expected outcomes or deliverables, explanation of how impacts will be measured, and a time-table or schedule (for one or two years);
C) Budget, and note other sources of funding being used or expected, if any (maximum one page)
D) Information on the main people or organizations involved. This information should not exceed an additional two pages.
Letter(s) of support from growers and/or other collaborators are also appreciated with the proposal, as an appendix to the proposal.
Reporting
The selected grant recipients will be asked to complete a concise progress report 6 months after the grant is awarded, and at the end of the grant period. Progress reports should address the status of all of the objectives and activities in the proposal, as well as a statement of impacts and expenses.Submission of Grant Proposals
The proposals must be postmarked by May 11, 2001. The proposals should be sent to EPA Region 9 to the address noted below. Applications must include a hard copy and also an electronic version on a floppy disk, in Word Perfect or MS Word.Lori Ann Thrupp
Agriculture Initiative
US Environmental Protection Agency Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street, CMD-4-1
San Francisco, CA 94105
Proposals will be reviewed and ranked by a panel of experts, and decisions will be made by June 8. Applicants will be notified the results immediately after that day. Award recipients then will be asked to fill out additional forms, working with EPA project managers, in order to finalize the grant procedure.
For
Further Information, please contact:
Lori Ann Thrupp, PhD
Agriculture Initiative, EPA Region 9
Phone: 415-744-1983
Fax: 415-744-1073
Email: thrupp.loriann@epa.gov
Posted March 2, 2001
