The director of the UC Davis-based statewide Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP) is leaving the program June 30. Bill Liebhardt, who has headed SAREP since its inception in 1987, will step down from his administrative duties and return to Cooperative Extension work in the UC Davis agronomy and range science department. A search is underway for a new director. "I'm very proud of the work we have done here at SAREP, and I know that the program's capable and creative staff will continue to coordinate outstanding research and education efforts in sustainability," Liebhardt says. Kathy Barsotti, a Yolo County farmer and former member of the SAREP public advisory committee, says Liebhardt helped establish the program as a national leader in funding sustainable agriculture research. "At first, SAREP was controversial, because the program asked researchers to focus on improved biological systems rather than on more pesticides to solve agricultural problems," Barsotti said. "With Bill Liebhardt at the helm, SAREP has addressed concerns of both farmers and researchers about staying sustainable -- which frequently means juggling reduced inputs with increased management." A high-resolution image of Liebhardt is available at .