Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) Program

Portal ID:
7069
Status:
Closed (1 total application submitted)
Opportunity Type:
  • Grant
Last Updated:
Categories:

Details

Purpose:

The goal of the revitalized Biologically Integrated Farming Systems grant program is to provide outreach of innovative, biologically integrated plant-based farming systems that reduce chemical pesticide inputs. Projects from this program should demonstrate IPM-based alternative pest management options that focus on economical and efficacious biological and cultural pest management techniques that allow growers to maintain yields and quality.

Description:

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.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:

  • Nonprofit
  • Public Agency
  • Tribal Government

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.

Eligible Geographies:

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

Matching Funding Requirement:

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.

Important Dates

The date (and time, where applicable) by which all applications must be submitted to the grantmaker. Time listed as “00:00” equates to midnight.
The date on which the grantor expects to announce the recipient(s) of the grant.
January 13, 2022
The length of time during which the grant money must be utilized.
4 years

Funding Details

The total projected dollar amount of the grant.
$2,000,000
A single grant opportunity may represent one or many awards. Some grantors may know in advance the exact number of awards to be given. Others may indicate a range. Some may wish to and wait until the application period closes before determining how many awards to offer; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display.
2 – 4
Grant opportunities representing multiple awards may offer awards in the same amount or in varied amounts. Some may wish to wait until the application period closes before determining per-award amounts; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display.
$500,000 – $1,000,000
Certain grants require that the recipient(s) provide a letter of intent.
No
Certain grants require that the recipient(s) be able to fully or partially match the grant award amount with another funding source.
No
The funding source allocated to fund the grant. It may be either State or Federal (or a combination of both), and be tied to a specific piece of legislation, a proposition, or a bond number.
  • State
The manner in which the grant funding will be delivered to the awardee. Funding methods include reimbursements (where the recipient spends out-of-pocket and is reimbursed by the grantor) and advances (where the recipient spends received grant funds directly).
  • Reimbursement(s)

How to Apply

State agencies/departments recommend you read the full grant guidelines before applying.

Resources

For questions about this grant, contact:
1-916-628-1299, cdfa.eo_oefi_opca@cdfa.ca.gov