- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
![In an example of Upadhyaya's precision agriculture work, a GPS-based auto-guidance system is being used to plant tomato seeds using a vacuum planter on the same beds in which tomatoes were transplanted previously.](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/anrnews/blogfiles/5410small.jpg)
Three UC Davis researchers will receive grants from USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture for projects to benefit the California specialty-crop industry, according to a UC Davis news release issued yesterday.
The new grants are:
- $2.6 million to study the use of sensors for precision canopy and water management of specialty crops. The lead researcher is professor of biological and agricultural engineering Shrini Upadhyaya, a precision farming expert.
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
![The UC Center for Produce Safety to receive substantial research funds from USDA.](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/anrnews/blogfiles/5034small.jpg)
The USDA issued a news release on Friday announcing $55 million in block grants to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops around the country, with California receiving more than $17 million. Of the 64 California projects, 19 are led by researchers affiliated with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.
A large share of funding - $1.4 million - goes to nine food-safety projects to be coordinated by UC’s
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
![NRCS Web site.](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/anrnews/blogfiles/3526small.jpg)
The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service distributed a news release on PR Newsire today that says the agency will fund conservation projects around the nation to the tune of $15 million.
The release featured comments from the California State Conservationist, Ed Burton, who encouraged California farmers and researchers to apply.
"This is a real opportunity for our University of California, California State University and Cooperative Extension offices to help expand our knowledge in key issues facing farmers and ranchers," Burton was quoted in the release.
The...