For Immediate Release

June 28, 1999

Contact: Mark Looker (209) 549-8262 x 108

mllooker@ainet.com

Almond Pest Management Alliance awarded second year of funding from Department of Pesticide Regulation

Modesto - - The Almond Pest Management Alliance (PMA), a partnership of almond industry groups united in the goal of finding innovative approaches to reducing pesticide risks, has been awarded a second year of funding from the state Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR).

The $98,976 grant was awarded June 22, along with seven other grants to statewide commodity groups. Those crops include cotton, tree fruit, rice, walnuts, sugar beets, seeds and cut flowers.

The Alliance is composed of the Almond Board of California, the Almond Hullers and Processor Association, the Community Alliance with Family Farmers and the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Project and local UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors.

"This grant is a tribute to the hard work the PMA has accomplished in the first year," said Mark Looker, PMA Project Administrator. "This alliance has made great strides in setting up research and demonstration projects that look at alternative approaches to pesticide use. It’s encouraging to have that work recognized by DPR in awarding a second year of funding."

The Alliance project is designed to promote a reduced risk system of almond production through the use of alternative products, actual on-site demonstrations and grower education. Three regional sites have been established in Butte, Stanislaus and Merced counties to allow for various orchard growing conditions and disease and pest pressures. Local UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors work with cooperating growers in comparing current grower practices and alternative approaches. Results are disseminated through field days held throughout the year, as well as through newsletters, opinion pieces and a Web site.

"We believe the outreach component of this project has been very effective," commented Looker. "We reached around 600 growers and pest control advisors through our field days and countless more through our newsletters and opinion pieces. The response has been overwhelmingly positive."

The project, which is overseen by an advisory management team of almond industry experts, runs through July 31, 2000.

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