SECTIONS 550-555 - California Statutes

FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL CODE

SECTION 550-555

550. This article shall be known and may be cited as the
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Act of 1986.

551. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) There is a growing movement in California and the nation to
change farming techniques by adopting more resource-conserving,
energy-efficient systems of agriculture. The objective of these
changes is to produce agricultural products that may reduce the use
of petrochemicals, improve means of biological pest management,
improve soil productivity, improve erosion control, and improve
irrigation, cultivation, and harvesting techniques.
(b) Over the long term, adoption of more efficient
resource-conserving systems of agricultural production can benefit
both the producing and consuming public.
(c) The resolution of many agricultural problems depends on
immediate efforts to provide farmers with practices that are both
resource conserving and economical for food producers, and to foster
food production and distribution methods that reduce dependence on
petroleum-based inputs.

552. The purpose of this article is to promote more research and
education on sustainable agricultural practices, such as organic
methods, biological control, and integrated pest managements,
including the analysis of economic factors influencing the long-term
sustainability of California agriculture. This article is intended to
foster economically and ecologically beneficial means of soil
improvement, pest management, irrigation, cultivation, harvesting,
transportation, and marketing for California agriculture based on
methods designed to accomplish all of the following:
(a) The control of pests and diseases of agricultural importance
through alternatives that reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides
and petrochemicals.
(b) The production, processing, and distribution of food and fiber
in ways that consider the interactions among soil, plants, water,
air, animals, tillage, machinery, labor, energy, and transportation
to enhance agricultural efficiency, public health, and resource
conservation.

553. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that the Regents of
the University of California establish the Sustainable Agriculture
Research and Education Program to support all of the following:
(1) Competitive grants for research on topics described in Section
552.
(2) The giving of instructions and practical demonstrations in
agriculture and imparting information through demonstrations,
publications, and otherwise, and for printing and distribution of
information in connection with the Sustainable Agriculture Research
and Education Program. Where feasible, these demonstrations shall
include field research conducted on cooperating farms.
(3) Planning for and management of University of California
farmlands committed to supporting long-term continuous research in
sustainable agricultural practices and farming systems.
(b) Those eligible to apply for competitive grants under
subdivision (a) shall include individuals affiliated with public and
private institutions of higher education and with nonprofit
tax-exempt organizations.
(c) All grant applications shall be subject to peer review for
scientific merit.
(d) In awarding grants, preference shall be given to projects that
include field evaluation and offer the greatest potential for
measurable progress toward attaining the long-term goals pursuant to
Section 552.

554. (a) If the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
Program is established by the regents, the President of the
University of California shall establish and appoint a Program
Advisory Committee and a Technical Advisory Committee.
(b) The duties of the Program Advisory Committee shall include
recommending goals and priorities for this program, including, but
not limited to, reviewing the priority of grant applications.
(c) The Program Advisory Committee shall be composed of a majority
of individuals representing agriculture, as well as representatives
from government, public organizations, and institutions of higher
education, all of whom are knowledgeable regarding the issues and
practices of sustainable agriculture.
(d) The duties of the Technical Advisory Committee shall include
making recommendations about the scientific merit of grant
applications submitted pursuant to Section 553.
(e) The Technical Advisory Committee shall be composed of faculty
and staff of the University of California and other experts from
outside the university.
(f) Members of the Program Advisory Committee and Technical
Advisory Committee who are not employed by the University of
California shall be appointed for a period not exceeding three years
and receive compensation for expenses incurred in the performance of
their duties according to applicable university regulations and
guidelines.

555. If the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program
is established by the regents, it shall be established from existing
resources.