John Lin, director of automation at the Cal Poly Strawberry Center received a grant from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation(DPR) to promote the adoption of UV-C light, a non-chemical control, by strawberry growers on California strawberry farms. Lin, who will lead the project team, will showcase UV-C light as an effective, non-chemical alternative to chemical pesticides for controlling mites, mildew and mold. The grant is part of $1.78 million in Alliance Grants issued by the DPR to five projects that aim to increase the speed and the scale at which safer, more sustainable pest management practices are adopted across the state. Each of the five projects will promote innovative Integrated Pest Management systems and practices in agricultural, urban or wildland settings.