KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Region 7 office has awarded a $51,000 grant to University Extension to reduce the use of high-risk pesticides in Amish and Mennonite agricultural operations.

The project will build on Extension's previous efforts with produce growers. The Amish and Mennonite communities are both known for fruit and vegetable production and for participating in farmers' markets and produce auctions.

More than 200 growers in northern and central Missouri took part in pesticide workshops, which covered the basics of soil quality, fresh produce storage, integrated pest management and weed control.

The EPA's Strategic Agricultural Initiative program awards grants for education, extension, demonstration and studies involving the use of sustainable pesticide practices in agriculture. Since 2001, the agency's Region 7 has awarded more than $461,000 to help farmers adopt better pest management practices.

Call environmental scientist Heather Duncan at (913) 551-7640 for more information about participating in the project.