The Northwest Region’s Merit-based Grant Program was started several years ago as a way for the region to align itself with other organizations who share similar goals and missions.  Because the association cannot be active on all fronts, the NPA NW board of directors decided that one way to impact issues somewhat outside of the associations’ preview would be to give a grant each year to an organization that is doing timely and important work. 

The Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP) combines outreach, education, advocacy and organizing to protect the health of people and the environment by advancing alternatives to pesticides.

Founded in 1977 NCAP empowers communities to make change happen not only in their backyards and gardens, but also in their communities.  Today NCAP has a variety of programs benefiting rural and urban communities throughout the Northwest.  NCAP is urging better protections to keep pesticides out of water; establishing safe, pesticide-free places for kids to live, learn and play; strengthening sustainable agriculture and rural economies; and educating people about using alternatives to pesticides in and around their homes.

The 2010 NPA NW Merit-based Grant has been designated for NCAP’s “Healthy Kids Healthy Schools” program and to support the OR legislation that has been enacted.

Children have rapidly developing bodies that are more sensitive and more vulnerable to pesticide exposure than adults.  And their behavior – spending more time in the grass and dirt where pesticides are often applied – increases their chances of exposure.  With the goal to reduce pesticides use in schools, NCAP is working with parents, teachers and school administrators to adopt and implement safe and effective pest management solutions.

A 2007 study of more than 29 OR school districts found that nearly half were in violation of legal requirements/policies for pest management and three districts still had illegal pesticides in storage, including DDT.  IPM policies which emphasize pest prevention and non-chemical pest control techniques have reduced pesticide use by more than 70% in schools and public building.

In 2009, NCAP helped pass a law (OR SB 637) requiring Oregon schools and community colleges to adopt Integrated Pest Management (IMP) policies by 2012.  The NPA NW merit-based grant will help NCAP accomplish this notable goal.

2009- OR PSR Campaign for Safe Food

The OR Physicians for Social Responsibility Campaign for Safe Food (CSF) has been designated as this year’s recipient of the NPANW Merit-based Grant.

In October 2003, the CSF project was initiated with the overall mission to advance the establishment of an agricultural system and food supply in Oregon primarily that does not use genetically-engineered organisms.  The project’s activities are based on the Precautionary Principle, a common sense, scientific approach to decision-making that embraces the philosophy “to do no harm.”

When Rich North, CSF program director, was first investigating the possibility for a program like CSF, he attributes his involvement with Non-GMOs to conversation he had early on with Craig Winters, The Campaign (2005 Pioneer Award).

Raising consumer awareness and inspiring citizen activism, CSF has done much regionally and nationwide to ban rBGH (bovine growth hormone) in dairy products.  In April 2007, the NPA NW sponsored “Natural Products Day for Health and Wellness”  in Salem, OR where Rick addresses industry delegates on the BioPharm bill that the NPA NW board did not support as part of its grassroots advocacy program.

Join us in congratulating Rich North and his team for continuing their good work to protect the natural organic food supply for a healthier Pacific Northwest community.