Innovative research projects -- focused on everything from artichokes to Cambodian refugee cooperatives -- are among 11 farming, ranching and community development efforts recently funded by the UC Davis-based UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program. Among the newly funded projects are a study of the impact of dairy waste and lagoon water in forage crop production, a grower-directed research and demonstration program in artichokes, and a soil composition and productivity study. One grant will be used in the Scott River Basin to investigate the effects of new stream-flow management tools on sustainable farming systems and coho salmon population. The sustainable ag money also will support expansion of a gardening project farmed by homeless people and students at a Berkeley middle school, the development of straw-bale produce coolers, research on cover crops in vineyards, and the organization of a farm cooperative for low-income Cambodian refugees in Stockton. Additionally, 29 educational events and four graduate student projects were funded, bringing the total of new SAREP grant awards to $170,866. Another $166,847 was allotted to 13 continuing projects. "This year, many of the projects deal with the human element in agriculture and communities," says Bill Liebhardt, SAREP director. "We are pleased to be able to help these projects, which we think will make a difference to the people of the regions involved." Summaries of each of the newly funded grants can be found at: http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/grants/Funded.