Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
been able to present itself to regulatory agencies as rational, responsible,
and demonstrating leadership in urging its growers to change.
Commodity organizations were by far the most important institutional
participants in California's partnerships, and the PMA program explic-
itly tried to capture their interest. They were the lead organization in
eight partnerships, writing grants, recruiting partners, and helping design
the research and outreach.
Other kinds of grower organizations participated in smaller scale part-
nerships. Two “grower cooperatives” and two trade organizations have
been involved in partnerships. The Sun-Maid Raisin Growers of Califor-
nia is an example of the former, and the Sonoma County Grape Growers
Association of the latter. Because raisins are dried and stored for up to 2
years prior to consumption, the Sun-Maid Raisin Growers felt particu-
larly vulnerable to pesticide-related food safety issues, and helped their
growers reduce reliance on pesticides.
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The Sonoma County Grape
Growers Association launched a partnership to address local concerns
about the environmental impact of its growers' practices. In general,
trade organizations engage in partnerships as a way to help growers cope
with pesticide-related concerns. CAFF was the dominant NGO partner,
participating in eight. It was the lead organization in three, and coordi-
nated grower outreach for the other five. Growers and others have
created several other nonprofit organizations to assist them with partner-
ship activities.
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These organizations provided staff to coordinate
partnership activities and facilitated the reception of grants. In some
cases, growers have affiliated informally, without an organization name
or a legal identity.
Environmental Agencies and Partnerships
Several approaches on the part of environmental agencies emerged in the
1990s as they began recognizing that traditional regulatory efforts did
not adequately address agricultural pollution issues, especially non-
point-source water pollution. CalEPA/DPR and several regional offices
of the USEPA have provided funding, leadership, and technical assistance
to agroecological partnership activities. USEPA staff member Augie
Feder was able to use the language of pollution prevention to persuade
the San Francisco (Region IX) office to fund the Biologically Integrated
