CDFA Grant Extended through 2025
Shape the Future and Earn $2,000
“PCAs are our boots-on-the-ground partners and have first-hand experience with the multitude of pressures that our producers face every day. The information they will gather through this pilot study will provide a clear analysis of the pests our producers are addressing. This information is essential for understanding the current state of pest management and the impacts of any future changes.”
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What’s New for 2025?
Good news! The CDFA Grant to PCAs has been extended through the 2025 crop season, giving you another opportunity to contribute and to earn $2,000. If you were a participant in our 2024 cropping season, you can apply again!
Interested in the PCA Intern Program? – Click Here
Streamlined App: We’re developing custom software, called Crop Steward, to simplify your participation. This app will bring everything you need into one convenient place, making your grant participation easier and ensuring your and your grower’s anonymity.
Here are some important details:
Grant Award: CDFA has granted CAPCA funds to document the IPM and SPM practices that PCAs implement in the field.
When: Applications will open in late 2024 or early 2025. The actual data collection will occur in 2025 and 2026 growing seasons.
Why: It’s imperative to highlight the meticulous consideration PCAs give to both environmental and economic factors when deciding on pest management.
Benefit Distribution: A significant portion of the grant will directly benefit participating PCAs and their associated growers.
- Eligible PCAs can earn a $2,000 stipend by fulfilling study criteria, injecting up to $400K into the PCA community.
- There are additional incentives available for PCAs and their growers.
Data Collection: PCAs will register a single field location within a custom scouting app called Crop Steward. Comprehensive note-taking will allow us to analyze and detail their IPM approaches. Crop Steward is the main way for PCAs to participate and complete the grant requirements.
Scope: To refine our study and enhance its reliability, we’re focusing on pistachios, grapes, lettuce, and tomatoes. The study takes place in the 2025 growing season. Participating PCAs will be given detailed information by Q1 2025.
Support: CAPCA aims to hire four student interns who are passionate about becoming PCAs. These ambitious students will be assigned a geographic territory where they will be responsible for raising awareness of the grant, answering PCA’s questions, and supporting the Crop Steward scouting app. Ideally, they will also be exposed to the latest IPM approaches besides the best PCAs in the industry.
Collaborative Effort: This initiative is a joint effort between UC IPM, American Pistachio Growers, California Fresh Fruit Association, California Tomato Growers, CDFA, and CAPCA.