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Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) Program

CA Department of Food and Agriculture · 7069

Eligibility details

Public or private colleges and universities, local and federal government entities including tribal governments, and non-profit organizations are eligible to apply. California state agencies may not submit proposal applications but may be listed as subcontractors on other proposals. State agency share of funding may not exceed 30% of total funding. State agencies may not take the lead in project management.

Matching funds & resources

Source matching-funds field: Not Required. Industry partners can participate by providing matching funds, infrastructure for project support activities, and/or cost sharing rebates for farming system inputs such as cover crop seeds, beneficial organisms (arthropods and microorganisms), insectary shrubs and trees, insect traps, laboratory services, and/or farm implements. Matching funds from industry partners, while not required, are encouraged.

Matching funds and leveraged resources are different requirements. Read the description and reviewed rules below before determining resource commitments.

About this opportunity

The objective of this program is to demonstrate and refine IPM-based farming projects designed to reduce chemical pesticide inputs, especially non-selective, biologically disruptive insecticides and herbicides, with greater risk to human health and/or the environment. Applicants should discuss the risks of the insecticide(s) and/or herbicide(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 the following three elements: (1) On-farm demonstration/evaluation of an innovative, biologically-based farming system, that employs IPM strategies; (2) A collaborative outreach effort for sharing technical information about the farming system, and; (3) An organized program of monitoring key biological and economic variables so as to inform on-farm decision making as well as evaluate project success.

Funding geography: The project lead(s) and their institutions must be based in California; out-of-state collaborators are allowed.

Funding instrument: Grant. Issuing jurisdiction: California. This is not a geographic eligibility determination.