Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) Grants

The objective of this program is to encourage smart, sensible, and sustainable pest control in agriculture. The Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) grants initiative enables grantees to implement sustainable pest management practices that align with the Agency's strategic goal of providing a cleaner and healthier environment for all Americans. The PESP grants initiative supports projects that focus on sustainable pest management approaches, reduce the risks associated with pesticide use in agricultural pest management, and integrated pest management (IPM) implementation. Assistance agreements support projects that explore innovative practices, technologies, education, and non-regulatory solutions that adopt integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Projects address the implementation of environmentally sound pest management practices, approaches, training, and innovations that reduce the risks associated with pesticide use in agricultural settings and, where feasible, lead to corresponding reductions in greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. These projects reduce unnecessary exposures to pests and pesticides through the adoption of integrated pest management practices and strengthen our shared goals of sustainable pest management. Most recently funded projects are implementing arthropod IPM on watermelon farms for pollinator protection, improving knowledge about IPM and pesticide safety, integrating pest and pollinator management strategies for ornamental plant production, and delivering herbicide resistance training through web-based and in-person workshops to Pacific Northwest agricultural professionals. To find out more about integrated pest management (IPM), visit EPA’s Introduction to Integrated Pest Management website at https://www.epa.gov/ipm/introduction-integrated-pest-management.