More information on Environmental Management Systems

• Through a cooperative agreement of state agencies and with assistance from the US EPA, North Carolina's Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance is developing an EMS program for Pork producers in that state.
• Iowa Soybean Association is developing a program called Certified Environmental Management Systems for Agriculture (CEMSA), based on the ISO 14001 EMS and involving up to 150 farmers.
• Utah State University Extension's Agriculture EMS program integrates voluntary Environmental Management Systems into Utah's Animal Feeding Operations (AFO) strategy. The project website offers fact sheets, a newsletter and other valuable information on agricultural EMS especially as it relates to AFOs.
• Project XL includes an initiative involving water officials from different states, environmental groups, US EPA and the United Egg Producers in developing a comprehensive program to help participating facilities achieve “superior environmental performance” by implementing an environmental management system (EMS) through a general permit issued by individual States or U.S. EPA.
• The National Agriculture Compliance Assistance Center at the US Environmental Protection Agency hosts a web page on EMS in agriculture, offering publications and links.
• The Institute for Environmental Research and Education (IERE) supports projects on ISO 14001 and has developed a "Farm-Based EMS" as part of its sustainable agriculture program. 
• ISOfarm Inc. offers a management system to "enhance how farms make decisions and track information with regards to environmental regulations, quality assurance, food safety, and worker health and safety.
• Environmental Management Solutions, LLC offers expertise in environmental planning, including developing and delivering audits, assessments, educational programs, environmental programs, systems and processes for the agriculture industry.

• The Multi-State Working Group on Environmental Management Systems (MSWG) is a broad, multi-stakeholder body that regularly assembles government, non-government, business and academic parties to explore innovative and systematic approaches to environmental protection, enhancement and restoration.
• ISO - International Organization for Standardization, http://www.iso.org, the source for ISO 14001, with useful information on the standard.
• This US Environmental Protection Agency's EMS web page contains links to key information about EPA's efforts to develop policies and related materials about environmental management systems, especially for federal agencies.  The site also includes pages on Promoting EMS in the Agribusiness Sector.
• The North Carolina Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance offers an Environmental Management Systems Home Page hosted by the  offers background information, tools and case studies.
• Cleaner Production.com includes web pages on EMS with examples and tools for EMS development, as well more general information on sustainable business.  
• The Pacific Institute a non-profit group researching environment, sustainable development, and international security has an International NGO Network on ISO offering information on the development and impacts of the ISO 14001 EMS standard to ensure that any ISO-created environmental standards serve the public interest and protect the environment.
• ECOLOGIA and its partners are working with enterprises in transition economies as they start to use EMSs to improve their environmental performance. ECOLOGIA also encourages and facilitates NGO involvement in the ISO standard through its website clearing house of information about EMS standards development.
• The National Center for Environmental Decision Making offers an ISO 14001 Guidance Manual by Raymond Martin.
• NSF International. 1996. "Environmental Management Systems: An Implementation Guide for Small and Medium-Sized Organizations" was developed by NSF International in 1996.
• The North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation's "Law and Policy" program has developed a project on EMS: "Environmental Management Systems to Promote Compliance and Environmental Performance"
• The ISO Information Center offers resources and training tools for ISO14000.
• The National Biosolids Partnership includes an EMS program.
• New Mexico's Green Zia Environmental Excellence Program supports businesses in identifying and reducing their waste stream and other losses in a management approach similar to an EMS.

• The Ontario Environmental Farm Plan, a farmer-driven, voluntary assessment program, aids farmers in highlighting environmental strengths on a farm, identifying areas of environmental concern, and setting realistic goals and time tables to improve environmental conditions.  The website offers a workbook and fact sheets.
• New Zealand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry offers resources on EMS in Agriculture, including "The Role of On-Farm Quality Assurance and Environmental Management Systems (QA/EMS) in Achieving Sustainable Agriculture and Sustainable Land Management Outcomes."
• Australia's Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry program provides support for EMS, including a National Pilot Program on EMS and an EMS national training kit for interested landholders.
• For information about quality standards in Swedish agriculture, see The Swedish Farm Assured quality assurance system.
• The International Institute for Sustainable Development offers several resources for understanding the role of ISO 14000 in environment and trade, including their report, "Global Green Standards".
• INEM, the International Network for Environmental Management, is a non-profit world federation of national associations for environmental management and sustainable development. Their website offers case studies, tools, publications, and contact information for members from countries around the world.

• International Standards for Environmental Management Systems: Their Implications for North American Agriculture."  Paper presented by Ellen Wall at the Annual Meetings for the Rural Sociological Society, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Aug. 12-16, 1997 and the North American Farming systems Research and Extension Association Conference "Food and Natural Resource Systems: integrating Diversity, Action, and People", Nov. 2-5, 1997.
• Evaluating a technique used to measure environmental performance within agriculture." Paper by Lewis, K.A., and J. Tzilivakis. Eco-management and Auditing 5(3): 126-135, 1998.
• Will business-led environmental initiatives grow in agriculture? by Sandra S. Batie and David E. Ervin. Choices. (4th Qtr) 1998:4-10. Many businesses are searching for pollution prevention management strategies, motivated by a variety of factors such as liability concerns, public image, cost-savings, consumer demands, pressure group demands, and the desire to reduce uncertainty to examine their whole production and distribution system with environmental audits.
• Adding Value through Environmental Marketing: Opportunities for Food Producers, Processors and Retailers. Conference held December 6-7, 2000. Madison, Wisconsin. Online proceedings include several presentations on EMS in agriculture,. See also, ISO 14000 and AGRICULTURE: Incomplete Bibliography, compiled in connection with the conference.

• Farm*A*Syst, a system of step-by-step factsheets and worksheets to help you to identify and assess behaviors and practices associated with environmental risk.
• The America's Clean Water Foundation's On Farm Assessment and Environmental Review (OFAER) project provides livestock producers a confidential, comprehensive and objective assessment of water quality, odor and pest risk factors at their operations.
• The Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship curriculum, producer-targeted educational materials and supporting activities, was developed by a team of 30 Land Grant University, NRCS and ARS cooperators.
• The National Center for Agricultural Law conducts research and analysis and provides up-to-date information for farmers and others needing information on agricultural regulations.
• Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Conservation and Planning Assistance web-page, provides guidance on the planning process the NRCS uses to help develop, implement, and evaluate conservation plans for individuals, and area-wide conservation plans or assessments for groups.
• Stream and Riparian Area Management: A Home Study Course for Managers. Designed specifically for livestock producers, this course offers effective stream and riparian management principles and technique. Contact Bob Ehrhart (541) 318-3772.
• The Stream Corridor Restoration Handbook was produced by the collective experience, skills, and technology of 15 Federal agencies of the United States government for those interested in restoring the functions and values of the nation's stream corridors.
• Cotton Australia and other industry partners have developed a Best Management Practices self-assessment program, which includes an external "Industry Certification" audit.

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