California’s chief agriculture agency is offering $325,000 in grants from its Proactive Integrated Pest Management Solutions Program, which seeks to anticipate which exotic pests are likely to arrive in the state.

The state Department of Food and Agriculture’s program seeks to develop and test low-impact management strategies – particularly biological ones – that can be quickly implemented if these pests become established. Grant applications will be accepted through Oct. 11.

Having tested systems in place can lead to a reduction in the long-term use of broad-spectrum pesticides, a key goal of the state’s Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap, officials said.

"CDFA's proactive IPM program is extremely forward-looking and innovative, and sponsored research is putting California in a very strong position to quickly respond to invasive pests that threaten our agricultural, wilderness, and urban areas,” said Mark S Hoddle, professor of Extension in Biological Control at University of California, Riverside. "This is something every Californian benefits from."

CDFA is responsible for preventing and mitigating the establishment of new invasive pests and controlling the spread of locally established invasive pests within the state. Techniques resulting from this proactive approach allow for rapid deployment of management plans focused on the lowest impact approaches.

For more information about the IPM program, click here.

Source: California Department of Food and Agriculture