1. Environmental Stewardship:Defining Your Ethic in a Farm Policy Thomas Bass, Montana State University Jill Heemstra, University of Nebraska - Lincoln Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

2. Environmental Concerns:Social Climate Public has increased concern for environmental issues Public also has lack of food, fiber and natural resource literacy Neighbor Relations & Complicating Factors urban encroachment non-ag rural neighbors Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

3. Environmental Concerns Primarily non-point source (NPS) water pollution Collective run-off from an area (picture depicts sediment from a large construction site) Ag NPS could be from animal confinement & manure storage; chemical/fuel storage; fields; farm roads… Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

4. Existing Regulations Primarily water quality driven Clean Water Act (CWA: USEPA, 1972, ‘77 & ’87) State rules and delegated authority State enforces on behalf of federal government Local ordinances zoning, setbacks, air quality, other… Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

5. Animal Feeding Operations Most detailed rules apply to Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs & CAFOs) Permitting: federal and/or state level Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

6. Pasture, Crop Land, Managed Forests & Orchards Little specific regulation exists Poor management could attract unwanted attention Clean Water Act can still apply Opportunity for voluntary conservation! Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

7. Other Environmental Issues Air Quality: interrelated issues chemical compounds odor & dust Noxious Weeds Wildlife/habitat Others? Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

8. On the Horizon: Fuel Storage US EPA – new rules in effect Nov. 2010 Spill Prevention, Control & Countermeasure Plan(SPCC) above-ground fuel storage exceeding 1,320 gallons 42,000 gallons of buried containers Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

9. Overwhelmed? Help is available…. Extension Young Farmer/Rancher Advisors USDA-NRCS Conservation Districts Fellow Producers Consultants Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

10. Educate Yourself Local programs and events Publications from land-grant universities, agencies, associations and NGOs Valid online resources! National events and conferences Farmer-to-Farmer Specials programs (BELLA) Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

11. Overwhelmed?Create Your Own Environmental Plan Be proactive, make your own decisions for good management Declare and document the good practices you already do Plan for future conservation practices COMMUNICATE about your stewardship! Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

12. What is important to you and your community? Are there environmental issues in your community, state or region for which farms or ranches are generally viewed in a negative way? Are there environmental issues in your community, state or region for which farms and ranches are generally viewed in a positive way? Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

13. What is important to you and your community? List examples of resources that need protection and how farms may be connected to them? What issues do you see as being especially important 5 years from now? Further into the future? Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

14. BREAK FOR DISCUSSION Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

15. Planning Starts with a FarmEnvironmental Policy Statement A policy statement briefly describes your operation and includes commitments to: Environmental stewardship Continual improvement Compliance with all pertinent laws and regulations Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

16. Environmental Policy as a Communication Tool Help guide your business decisions, but also: Share with buyers/markets Share with lenders/insurers Share with neighbors Use for emergency communication after an accident or natural disaster Share in first stages of a regulatory inquiry Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

17. Tools for a New Generation Technology offers new tools and enhances traditional communication and learning 90% of young farmers and ranchers use a computer for communication and learning 73% participate in social networking online 70% use online record keeping tools 85% access agriculture news online (2010 – Young Farmer Rancher Survey – American Farm Bureau) Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

18. Communicating Ag Advocacy If you have a web presence, use your policy statement online Post on your farm website Advocate Ag in your social networking Write about your stewardship in blogs Share your stewardship on emerging NYFEA social/online networking Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

19. Environmental Policy Statements Description: importance of your farm, business and family goals Environmental issues: relevant to your location, watershed or community Compliance: commitment to comply with applicable rules Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

20. Environmental Policy Statements Pollution Prevention: specific resource and environmental goals important to your operation Continuous Improvement: commitment to evaluate yourself and improve continuously as your operation grows Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

21. Note: tips for statements Statement should not be generic DO NOT use finite wording: use “reduce” or “limit” instead of “eliminate” DO NOT use time references: “will continually improve or stewardship” instead of “will accomplish in 5 years” Examples in packet are for guidance… Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

22. BREAK FOR EXERCISE(examples & worksheets) Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

23. BELAA Project Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture Funding: 3 yrs – USDA-NIFA Partners: Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

24. BELAA Project New and Beginning Producer Specific… Educational materials (publications & presentations) Online tools Webcasts and online social networking Access to expertise Live seminars at NYFEA events Curriculum support for HS Ag Teachers Environmental Leaders Program Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

26. Feed Management

27. Manure Nutrient Management

28. Manure Treatment Technologies

29. Pathogens

30. Regulations

31. Small Farms

32. Manure Storage, Handling & Mortality

34. Archives web seminars

35. National manure management resources at one location

36. Research summaries

37. Ask the Expert

39. Becoming a Leader Agriculture can be profitable; environmental issues should not scare anyone from the business! You can develop and protect natural resources while providing food, fiber and other services to the world. You must become your own advocate! Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

40. Conclusion and Questions Thank you for your time and your commitment to agriculture’s future! Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010

41. Contact Information Jill Heemstra: jheemstra@unl.edu Tommy Bass: tmbass@montana.edu Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) NYFEA – YALE – Monterey, CA December 2010