Funding Opportunities for the Western IPM Center

EPA Region 9 Seeks Grant Proposals for Strategic Agricultural Initiative/Food Quality Protection Act Program - 2007 (Applications are due March 19, 2007)

From: Wire.Cindy@epamail.epa.gov
Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 1:32 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: EPA Region 9 call for proposals for Agricultural Grant Program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is pleased to announce a grant opportunity for education and demonstration projects to help implement the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) and support efforts by the agricultural community to transition away from high-risk pesticides to lower risk pesticides and sustainable practices in food production. Please see attached Request for Proposals and Grants.gov Application Instructions.

For 2007, EPA Region 9 is interested in all projects that help growers transition away from high risk pesticides to lower risk alternatives. This includes projects that address regional pest issues, and other environmental concerns. Examples of this include:

* Reduce use of organophosphates including azinphos-methyl, Phosmet, Diazinon and chlorpyrifos; carbamates; or synthetic pyrethroid insecticides through transition to lower risk alternatives.

* Transition from high risk pesticides to lower risk practices while also addressing other environmental challenges such as: 1) finding alternatives to soil fumigants and pesticides identified as "Volatile Organic Compounds" contributors, 2) employing pest management practices that also support water quality and food safety efforts, and 3) employing pest management practices that protect endangered species habitat.

Due to the federal requirements for Request for Proposals, the attached documents are both lengthy and wordy. Please do not let this deter you.

Feel free to call me if you need clarification or have specific questions about submitting a proposal for this grant program.

All projects must be located in EPA Region 9 which covers California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii and the Pacific Trust Islands, and must meet the selection criteria listed in the attached solicitation. Proposals must be received by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on March 19, 2007.

If you have any questions regarding this grant opportunity, please feel free to call or email me at the address listed below.

Thank you.

Cindy