BIOS in Stone Fruit

Project Info

The BIOS in Stone Fruit project is a collaboration between CAFF, UC Cooperative Extension, growers, and advisors, aiming to advance the adoption of sustainable pest management (SPM) practices in stone fruit orchards.

As part of this project, we will:

Conduct two-year, incentivized, farmer-led trials of SPM practices, incorporating collaborative monitoring plans and first-hand farmer experience and feedback.

Host regular meetings for participating farmers to co-learn and troubleshoot pest management with other local farmers.

Share practical information and highlight farmer expertise around SPM practices widely through field days, extension events, and educational resources.

Want to participate in a trial?

Do you grow any of these crops in one of the target regions?

Peaches
Nectarines
Cherries
Plums
Apricots

If so, learn more about the trial details and fill out the interest form to apply!

Target Regions:

What is BIOS?

Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems, or BIOS, is a whole-systems approach to farming that brings together growers, scientists, farm advisors, and pest control advisors with the goal of implementing farm practices to reduce dependence on chemical inputs. This approach utilizes comprehensive pest management practices that enhance natural pest control, reduce harmful insecticide sprays, and prioritize biological methods that are selective, low-risk, and effective.

History

The BIOS program was originally started in 1993 in partnership with CAFF, almond growers in Merced County, and the University of California Sustainable Agriculture and Research Program (UC SAREP). This collaboration paired on-farm demonstrations of biological practices with farmer-to-farmer information-sharing of their results. Following its success, this effort was expanded with the UC Cooperative Extension to walnuts in Yolo, Solano, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus counties. The BIOS model has since expanded to include other cropping systems and is now known as Biologically Integrated Farming Systems, or BIFS.

CAFF Core Team

UCCE Core Team

Needs Assessment

Want to participate but not farming in these regions?

Fill out our needs assessment survey!

We are gathering information on the integrated pest management (IPM) needs and barriers of stone fruit farmers in California. As pest dynamics have shifted in recent years, we hope to gather insight from farmers on prominent pest issues, barriers and challenges, topics of interest, and opportunities for future research.
Responses will be anonymous, compiled and shared with UC ANR (Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources).