What are the consequences of adopting more "environmentally sensitive" farming practices? Does the farmer change along with the farm? By monitoring five farms in Tulare and Fresno counties, researchers and farmers participating in a project funded by the UC Davis-based UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program are trying to systematically document what occurs when a farm makes the transition to more sustainable farming practices. Project participants are examining how the use of beneficial insects as pest controls affects cover crop choices, natural fertilizers and integrated pest management systems on grape and stone-fruit farms. After one year of on-farm research, farmer Mas Masumoto of Del Rey, Calif., says two concepts about farms have emerged. "It is clear that there is a lot of diversity, complexity and change going on simultaneously on the farms," he says. "This often equals chaos, but chaos isn't necessarily bad. Creativity and innovation come out of chaos." Masumoto says it is important to explore the scientific concept of chaos on the farm and to tie the scientific community into this study. The study also indicates that it is difficult to pinpoint exactly how the farms work. "We can't give anyone a recipe in order to farm sustainably," Masumoto says. "Farms work, but we don't know why."