Technology Transfer
New reduced-risk pest management practices only
make a difference when they are used by a large
percentage of the agricultural community. New
tactics and technologies only will be adopted by a
broader audience through outreach, education, and
demonstration.
SAI Priorities
To facilitate the widespread adoption of reduced-
risk practices, the SAI and its collaborators use the
following methods:
o
• Grower meetings and grower-to-grower
exchanges
• On-farm demonstrations, field days, and crop
tours
• Workshops and conferences
• Advisory committees
• Published project results
• Best management practices
Resistance management
Impaired waterways
Pollinator protection
Endangered species protection
Rodent and predator control in livestock
operations
Alternatives to emergency exemption requests
Urban/rural interface and volatile pesticides
SAI Is Making A Differen
From 2003-2006, the SAI helped implement reduced-
risk pest management strategies on over 1.2 million
acres of farm land, leading to a 30 percent reduction
in the use of higher-risk pesticides on those acres.
For More Information
Visit www.epa.gov/pestwise/sai to learn:
• How to apply for an SAI grant
• Information about previously funded projects
• How to partner with the SAI
• How to contact your Regional SAI Specialist
Promoting the transition to reduced-risk
practices
-------
The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of
1996 requires that the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) phase out—or
reduce the risks from—many toxic and persistent
pesticides used in food production. Implementing
the FQPA has significant impacts on specialty crops.
These impacts are driving forces in the adoption
of new pest management strategies by specialty
crop growers. Because some pesticides are no longer
available to them, growers need assistance identifying
and adopting appropriate and effective reduced-risk
alternatives. Theses alternatives include biological
pesticides (biopesticides), advanced pest monitoring,
pheromone mating disruption, and other Integrated
Pest Management (IPM) practices.
4 - « *
«•>
Strategic Agricultural Initiative
The Strategic Agricultural Initiative (SAI) is
an innovative partnership between EPA and the
agricultural community. SAI promotes the transition
away from higher-risk pesticides to agricultural and
pest management
practices that are
economically viable
and protect human
health and the
environment. SAI
Regional Specialists
work with growers to
develop and access
new tools necessary to
make this transition. SAI provides:
Grants and technical assistance
Outreach and communication
Collaboration with stakeholders
Technology transfer
SAI Grants
Each year, SAI awards approximately $1.5 million in
competitive grants for projects. Although the SAI is
funded nationally, grants are awarded through each
EPA Region—ensuring that funded projects address
each regions unique needs. Projects address one or
more of the following goals:
• Use demonstration, outreach, and education
to increase the adoption of reduced-risk/IPM
practices
• Encourage partnerships to find regional
solutions to pest management issues
• Measure and document the risk reduction
to the environment, human health, and the
community
SAI Specialists - Working With
Stakeholders
EPA designates one SAI Specialist in each of the ten
EPA Regions. In addition to managing SAI grants,
SAI Specialists develop extensive partnerships with
a diverse array of agricultural stakeholders (e.g.,
growers, pesticide users, educators, USDA, and
universities). These interactive partnerships:
• Help translate Regional grower issues and
perspectives to EPA
• Help communicate new developments at EPA
to the agricultural community
• Provide technical assistance, outreach, and
demonstration
• Facilitate new technology transfer
By facilitating a two-way dialogue between EPA and
the specialty crop growers, SAI ensures that EPA can
consider a variety of perspectives when acting on
important pest management issues.
Please contact the SAI Specialist in your Region for
more information on transition assistance.
SAI Partners and Collaborators
• Growers
Agricultural associations
Commodity groups
Trade associations
Universities and researchers
Cooperative extension agents
Food processors
Environmental groups
State Departments of Agriculture
Regional IPM centers
EPA National Agricultural Compliance
Assistance Center
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Sustainable Agriculture, Research, and
Education (SARE)
Other Federal agencies
SAI's John Butler (center) with Amish grower (left) and Cathy Thomas, IPM
Coordinator ror the Pennsylvania Department ot Agriculture.
------- |