Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 3.2
BIOS extension processes. Source: Dlott et al. 1996.
Component
Strategy
Research
Growers establish comparison blocks to evaluate suites
of practices in their own specific agroecological context
Research scientists investigate specific agroecological
practices with participating growers
Extension
Assembles a consortia of growers, PCAs, UC scientists
and Farm Advisors, and government agencies to provide
a network of support, technical assistance, and financial
incentives
Emphasizes a participatory learning wherein growers,
scientists and PCAs share their experiences and insights
Uses diverse, experientially-oriented social learning
tools, especially field days at BIOS farms
Provides custom support tailored to individual growers'
needs
Technical assistance
Customized farm management plan
Coordinated program of pest monitoring
Regular updates about the project through newsletters
Regular information about the agroecological conditions
of the orchard
Cost-share assistance for resource conservation products
through USDA
their reliance on pesticides, but they also wanted to defy the conven-
tional wisdom of UC Farm Advisors, whom they saw as actively promot-
ing their use.
Reed, Bugg, Hendricks, and Anderson formed the first management
team to select the growers most appropriate for the first year of almond
BIOS. They chose growers sufficiently skilled and dedicated to the proj-
ect. The management team visited individual farms and helped growers
determine what practices to try in their own comparison BIOS/grower
standard blocks, and helped growers access the knowledge and resources
they needed to succeed. At the recommendation of Hendricks, they
reached out to pest-control advisors. A few independent PCAs were
attracted to the BIOS approach, and helped recruit other growers. (See
figure 3.1.)
