Paving the way for continued research into the causes and cures for agriculture-related illnesses and injuries, a new $800,000 federal grant has been awarded to the UC Agricultural Health & Safety Center at Davis. The grant will support the center's operations for the next five years. "During our first five years, the center has focused on the unique health and safety hazards peculiar to agriculture in the West," says Marc Schenker, center director. "During the next five years we plan to continue focusing on Western agriculture, and to work more on the implementation of our findings in the field." The center, established in 1991 by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, is one of eight agricultural health and safety centers throughout the nation committed to improving and protecting the health and safety of farmers, farm workers and their families. Research conducted at the center has been directed toward designing safer equipment and work practices, identifying risk factors for injury and chronic illness due to workplace exposures and improving educational outreach and intervention programs.