This quarterly electronic newsletter of FARM & HOME ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS is produced by the staff of the National Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst office. The aim of this newsletter is to inform interested readers about voluntary pollution prevention programs around the nation and about new research and policy impacting the management of environmental risk on farms and in homes. We intend for this newsletter to be a forum for news and discussion about ongoing programs and new approaches. For more information, or to contribute to this newsletter, please refer to our website (http://www.uwex.edu/farmasyst), or email editor, Mrill Ingram, (mingram@facstaff.wisc.edu). We welcome comments and feedback!
USDA-CSREES, USDA-NRCS, and the U.S. EPA provide support for our programs.
Farm and Home Environmental Management Programs
Room 303 Hiram Smith Hall
1545 Observatory Drive
Madison, WI 53706
Phone: 608-262-0024
FAX: 608-265-2775
Websites:
http://www.uwex.edu/farmasyst
http://www.uwex.edu/AgEMS
http://www.uwex.edu/homeasyst
http://www.uwex.edu/healthyhome
by Doug De Master, University of Wisconsin and Susan Donaldson, University of Nevada
Urban sprawl. It's a phenomenon so pervasive in our society that it was featured in the July 2001 issue of National Geographic. Rural land is being rezoned from large, agricultural enterprises to smaller parcels that maintain some agricultural uses while attracting a more diverse population of owners. These new landowners, who are often unfamiliar with their rural environments, are having a significant impact on the condition of soil, water, plants, and other wildlife. People charged with conserving and managing natural resources face a new challenge: How do we reach this audience and teach the importance of land stewardship?
With funding from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development Program, land management professionals from eight western states teamed together to create a curriculum aimed at the small acreage "lifestyler": the property owner who has purchased a small acreage property not as a source of a nnual income, but as a way of life.
The resulting product, Living on the Land: Stewardship for Small Acreages, is available on CD and contains five modules covering: goal setting and property inventory, soils, water, plants and animals. Each module, targeted at the professional educator rather than the property owners themselves, includes worksheets and a slide presentation. Since it was released in October 2001, 700 CDs have been distributed to 31 states and Australia. The program recently received the American Society of Agronomy's Education Materials Award for Audio-Visual Materials and was a finalist for the National Association of County Agricultural Agents 2002 Communication Award for a Learning Module.
Kevin Laughlin of University of Idaho Extension identifies the program's experiential model as a key to its success. "We found that by focusing on people who make a commitment up front, we were able to have a greater impact," says Laughlin. "Not only were program participants more likely to use what they learned, but their neighbors are also learning."
Laughlin notes that despite a registration fee of $225 (to cover forage, water and soil testing) thirteen people signed up for the second class before it was even publicized. The classes are already making a difference. In the first class, three out of seventeen water tests uncovered high nitrate levels, all of which were then addressed by the property owners.
To order a free Living on the Land CD, contact Project Coordinator Susan Donaldson, University of Nevada, (775)784-4848, donaldsons@unce.unr.edu, or visit http://animalrangeextension.montana.edu/LoL/home.htm.
Return to Table of Contentsby Elizabeth Bird, University of Wisconsin
When Stelios Androulidakis decided to develop an Environmental Management System for his employer, SAE Circuits, in Boulder, Colorado, he didn't have the human resources to develop an EMS team, so he did it himself. Androulidakis, Production Support and Environmental Manager for SAE, began by writing down his environmental "policy," a process that assisted Androulidakis in establishing his goal of having all the company's waste reused or recycled. The EMS process also helped him communicate with other employees about why that goal was so important.
According to Androulidakis, perhaps the most important part of the EMS is helping everyone see how the whole production system fits together. "A great advantage of the EMS is that it gets information out of the head of the person in charge -- and gets it down on paper," he says. The EMS assisted Androulidakis in communicating procedures and goals with employees. "If I kept all the information to myself," he says, "there's no way I'd get the full cooperation of everyone. I think the biggest benefit is the increased awareness among employees about the goals of the company and how everything works together."
Androulidakis visited each department in the factory, which hires 70 employees, and with staff examined all in-coming materials and out-going waste. They detailed what they did with the waste, how they stored it, shipped it, or disposed of it. This documentation process assisted managers and workers in recognizing where they had unaddressed issues.
A revealing example of how the EMS brought about change was in the "dry film" department. The laminate film material comes in rolls around cardboard inner tubes. Every day the company threw away some 5 to 10 empty tubes, which were incurring tipping fees. It turned out that a recycling center just down the street would take the tubes. As a result of keeping closer tabs on all their materials, Androulidakis says, SAE Circuits had become a little leaner, and he knows this improves the plant's overall profitability.
Employees audit the environmental management system once a month. "This means that once each month, each environmentally significant process in the plant gets some attention," explains Androulidakis. "It fosters an on-going evaluation and is also an opportunity for new ideas to emerge. Also, it means that everyone is on the same page. When it's time to change out a bath, for example, they refer to the document and know just what needs to be done."
Androulidakis notes that before the EMS he sometimes felt he was fighting an uphill battle with e mployees who didn't understand why he wanted things done a certain way. "The EMS keeps things in perspective," he says. "It helps everyone to see the overall picture as well as to understand the production procedures. The added value is that employees are better positioned to help the firm seize opportunities to improve production."
"The EMS gives you a handle, because managing the process of production works hand in hand with managing environmental impacts," he elaborates. "The value of the EMS is in the train of thought it provokes. It gets everyone to think in terms of the whole system - what's going to happen down the line." Slowly but surely, Androulidakis says, he sees this systemic awareness evolving among the staff.
Return to Table of Contentsby Rick Hamilton, North Carolina State University
For more than 25 years, I have preached forest management to non-industrial private forest landowners. The message is very positive: forests are valuable, and provide modest to excellent returns on investment. Future demand and price trends on timber look good, and there are many sources of cost-share assistance and tax incentives that rival any other investment scheme. Once a forest landowner asks for help, consultants, service agencies and educators provide excellent service, but reaching new clientele, new owners and "typical" landowners, however, has remained a real challenge.
In 1994, Thomas Birch of the US Forest Service released data from a national survey on non-industry private forest owners (NIPFs), and I was appalled to find that approximately 5% of such owners have a management plan, representing about 21% of NIPF commercial forest acres. There are many "numbers within the numbers" in Birch's findings, but essentially it told me that 95% of owners controlling 79% of NIPF acres had yet to be motivated to manage their forests, despite myriad publications and information sources on developing a plan.
About that time, I had the privilege of attending a workshop conducted in part by Dr. Tom Hoban, Professor of Sociology, at North Carolina State University. The workshop topic was "public perception of risk," but Dr. Hoban spent the bulk of his talk discussing barriers to public understanding and techniques that improve the likelihood of the message being heard. His three key messages included 1) building trust and credibility; 2) presenting information in simple and nonjudgmental terms; 3) empowering a landowner to choose.
Funded by EPA, I developed a national Forest*A*Syst prototype in 1998 that incorporated Dr. Hoban's techniques. The "*A*SYST" approach, tested through Farm*A*Syst and Home*A*Syst, is simple and has proven effective: let people respond to leading questions that help them assess what they want their forest to be, then, through further education and assessment, let them determine where they are. This builds interest, knowledge and commitment and increases the likelihood of the owner reaching out to a professional to help achieve personal goals and objectives. For the self-assessment, the owner answers simple questions regarding goals and objectives, current forest management planning, including recreation, wildlife and aesthetics, status of practice implementation and use of BMP's to protect water and soil. The questions are referenced to the text of the document where owners can quickly learn basic forestry skills and gain knowledge in non-technical language.
Individual states or regions are encouraged to use the national model and develop their own documents. Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and Alaska have completed state models. Hawaii, Mississippi, Kentucky and the New England region are in process. Numerous other states have indicated an interest. The Cooperative Extension Service has initiated the process in most states with a wide array of partners helping in the development, review and anticipated dissemination of the publications. Funding sources like Clean Water Act Section 319 have been used.
One very positive spin-off of developing a program is the partnerships that coalesce in support of responsible and sustainable forestry. In North Carolina, for example, the Association of Consulting Foresters is cooperating with the Division of Forest Resources, the Forest Landowners Association, the Wildlife Resources Commission, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Conservation Fund. A feedback survey has indicated that 89% of the users in North Carolina find the materials understandable and are encouraged to set goals and develop a management plan. Realtors are a prime audience in North Carolina, and they are encouraged to provide a copy to any new forest landowner they assist.
Consider networking with agencies and non-governmental groups in your area to form successful partnerships. I'd be glad to help any group, state or region get started; please contact me if you have questions: Rick Hamilton, Forestry Department Extension Leader, Campus Box 8003, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8003, 919-515-5574 (phone), 919-515-6883 (fax) or e-mail: rick_hamilton@ncsu.edu.
Return to Table of Contentsby Mrill Ingram & Elizabeth Bird, University of Wisconsin
An Environmental Management System, or EMS, can bring regulatory requirements and conservation program opportunities into a common framework. Part of the 'PLAN-DO-CHECK-ACT' cycle is to identify pertinent regulations and to document stewardship actions. These requirements place farmers in a good position to be ahead of regulatory requirements and organized to meet requirements of cost-share programs.
Specific steps in the EMS process that provide opportunities for identifying and coordinating with policies and programs include:
EMS & CAFO
For example, the EMS process provides producers with a much-needed mechanism for responding to the
permitting process associated with the US EPA's Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation effluent
guidelines due out December 15th. An EPA Notice of Data Availability (NODA) on the guidelines states
that the agency supports "voluntary alternative performance standards for innovative technologies"
such as the "Whole Farm Approach." Technologies for managing livestock and waste are rapidly changing,
and flexible options such as an EMS will allow use of new, more effective technologies. In addition,
an EMS will assist CAFOs in addressing resource issues of the highest local or regional concern.
The EPA has stated that it supports a "whole farm multimedia review" in which a CAFO would develop a plan for improving across "multiple environmental media." The EMS approach satisfies these requirements. It begins with an assessment of risks across all environmental media, and includes a plan establishing specific goals and practices as well as the criteria needed to judge progress toward reducing environmental risks. In addition, the documentation requirements of an EMS, and the "Check" phase of the EMS cycle, support good communication and continual improvement. This facilitates auditing or public recognition efforts. Furthermore, while the EMS approach is flexible, it also requires a uniformity of documentation that can facilitate state and federal agency review of environmental performance.
EMS & CSP
The new Conservation Security Program (CSP), to be administered by the Natural Resources Conservation
Service, provides an example of how an EMS puts a farmer in an effective position to take advantage of
funding for environmental and conservation stewardship efforts. CSP is a voluntary program providing
financial and technical assistance for conservation efforts. Its stated goals include identifying
resources to be conserved, describing particular conservation practices, and maintaining a schedule
for the "implementation, maintenance, or improvement of the conservation practices."
The EMS provides a tested framework for meeting these requirements, specifically through identifying what is to be managed; identifying and describing the particular management practices that are currently employed and need improvement; and developing a plan that includes a schedule for the implementation, maintenance and continual improvement of the management process. The EMS approach further complements stated goals of the CSP because it supports long-term and comprehensive conservation strategies, provides a flexible and voluntary framework that supports innovation; provides documentation that supports recognition of stewardship efforts; and coordinates all of a farmer's conservation efforts.
EMS & TMDL
Another area in which an EMS can be used to help respond to environmental policy is with the Total
Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements. Section 303(d) of the 1972 Clean Water Act says that,
territories, and authorized tribes are required to develop lists of impaired waters, and should describe
a plan for implementing load allocations for waters impaired by nonpoint sources. According to the EPA,
these plans should include "reasonable assurances" that load allocations will be achieved, using
incentive-based, non-regulatory or regulatory approaches, a "public participation process," and
"recognition of other watershed management processes and programs," such as local source water protection
and urban storm water management programs.
A watershed-level EMS offers a framework for bringing diverse stakeholders together to achieve water conservation goals for their watershed. The EMS has been successfully used in both industry and also by watershed partnerships in Australia. The basic steps of Plan-Do-Check-Act provide a process through which people can develop a vision, agree on shared values and approaches, make informed decisions and act together to manage the natural resources of their watershed. Key steps in a watershed EMS process could include: establishing a mission or policy statement for the overall effort; assessing all environmental risks in an area; identifying stakeholders and developing a communication strategy; evaluating management alternatives; and creating an action plan, including a timeline, documentation process, and progress measures.
The EMS framework offers many possibilities for responding to environmental policies and programs. Federal and state agencies can facilitate this process by supporting the pilot development of on-farm EMS, offering assistance for consultant fees and other expenses incurred by farmers undertaking an EMS, and supporting the research and education of EMS in agriculture.
Return to Table of ContentsA Healthy Homes Partnership videoconference on children's environmental health will be held on March 27, 2003 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Central Time. Find out more about mold, asthma, integrated pest management, and the Healthy Homes Partnership. Speakers include: Ken Hellevang of North Dakota State University Extension; Jennifer Grant, Coordinator of Cornell University Cooperative Extension's Community Integrated Pest Management Program; and Dr. Jay Portnoy, Section Chief for Allergy, Asthma & Immunology at the Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City. To find out more call Sarah Van Tiem at (608) 265-2774 or visit http://www.uwex.edu/healthyhome/.
The "Technical Service Provider (TSP) Assistance" interim final rule has been sent to the Federal Register for publication and is available on the NRCS web site for a 90 day comment period. The rule implements the technical service providers provisions of the 2002 Farm Bill. NRCS has been delegated responsibility for administrating the TSP program for all Farm Bill conservation programs. They will use the comments provided and experienced gained in implementing the interim rule to develop a final rule next summer. The interim rule will go into effect on March 1, 2003. The complete rule is available on the NRCS web site at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/tsp_rule.html. An indexed copy of the rule and additional current information is available on the NACD web site at http://nacdnet.org/govtaff/TSP/.
Agriculture is comprised primarily of small businesses. Keeping up with the latest regulations may seem difficult, especially for business without personnel dedicated to addressing environmental concerns. The National Agriculture Compliance Assistance Center (National Ag Center) is the first stop for people in the agricultural community who need information on compliance with environmental regulations. The National Ag Center also provides information on the latest pollution prevention technologies and best management practices. The Center distributed over 43,000 documents to the ag community the last year.
Visit the NAC website for current news and material consolidating information about compliance requirements, pollution prevention, and technical assistance resources for use by farmers, regional and state assistance and educational programs, trade associations, businesses, and local governments. You can also use a toll-free number (with real people 9-5 CST!) for those with questions on agriculture compliance issues. The National Ag Center has handled questions dealing with everything from ostrich carcasses to bat guano, and they are eager to take your questions. Visit http://www.epa.gov/agriculture or c all toll-free: 1-888-663-2155. Email: agcenter@epa.gov.The volunteer water quality monitoring national facilitation project offers a new website chock full of information including: details of the national facilitation project; contacts for and links to websites for Cooperative Extension sponsored or co-sponsored volunteer water quality monitoring programs; information about upcoming events; and links to Cooperative Extension 406 Regional websites, other national facilitation project websites, as well as national water quality websites. The site features a "Guide for Growing Programs" manual; the first chapter/factsheet is titled "Why Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Makes Sense." The site will continue to grow in coming months, so check back often at http://www.uwex.edu/ces/csreesvolmon/.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's latest national summary of water quality found no decline in the number of waterways considered "impaired" for swimming, fishing, or other uses. Covering about one-third of U.S. waters, the survey showed that 39 percent of river and stream miles, 45 percent of lake acres, and 51 percent of estuary miles "were not clean enough" to support one or more uses due to bacteria, nutrients, metals (primarily mercury), and siltation. Agricultural runoff was a dominant pollutant source. EPA assistant administrator G. Tracy Mehan said that the results demonstrate the need for more effective controls to address water quality problems, especially those stemming from diffuse, non-permitted sources such as runoff from agricultural and urban areas, and air deposition, which continue to dominate as sources of water pollution. "National Water Quality Inventory: 2000 Report" is available on the Web at http://www.epa.gov/305b/2000report. A print copy is free from EPA's National Service Center, 1-800-490-9198.
(38 pgs), from Natural Resources Defense Council and Clean Water Network, is online at http://www.nrdc.org; for print availability, contact NRDC, 40 W. 20th St., New York, NY 10011; (212) 727-2700; nrdcinfo@nrdc.org.
Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply for $1.5 million in grants to provide technical assistance to drinking water systems that supply water to less than 50,000 people. As part of the Agency's critical water infrastructure protection initiative awards of up to $300,000 per eligible nonprofit organization will provide no-cost training to state, tribal or local agencies on activities such as vulnerability assessments and emergency response plans. The Office of Water request for applications is posted on the water security website at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/security or contact Andy Bielanski at 202-564-3824.
The International Network for Environmental Management (INEM) has an online study of EMSs in small European businesses. "Evaluation of Study Reports on the Barriers, Opportunities and Drivers for SMEs in the Adoption of Environmental Management Systems," by Dr. Ruth Hillary, analyses 33 separate studies published between 1994 and 1999. The study found that the most important barriers to EMS adoption include a lack of human resources rather than financial ones; difficulties determining environmental aspects and assigning significance; achieving internal auditor independence in small and micro firms; and trouble gaining consistent quality information and consultants. The lack of sector-specific material tailored to different sizes of firms is an added problem. The report is available online at http://www.inem.org/htdocs/iso/hillary.html#Anchor-49575.
Utah State University Extension Agriculture Environmental Management System (AEMS) Website offers a clearing house for the latest information on how operators of agricultural enterprises can improve their operations' interactions with air, water, and land resources, improve pollution prevention, and become effective in their regulatory compliance. The program also offers a newsletter, The Agricultural Improver, to inform producers and their advisors of the latest theories, methods and tools available for the improvement of their production enterprises. Visit http://aems.aste.usu.edu.
"Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) on Animal Agriculture," a set of documents on environmental, social, and economic issues in large-scale livestock production in Minnesota, is online at http://www.mnplan.state.mn.us/eqb/geis. For hardcopy or CD availability, contact George Johnson, Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, (651) 296-2888; george.johnson@state.mn.us.
Maine's Forest Service has taken steps to educate landowners on sustainable forestry and land management strategies. "Be Woods Wise" provides a free educational kit that illustrates woodlot management techniques. Visit Maine's program at: http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/woodswise/.
A number of new resources for stakeholder participation and partnerships in resource management are available. The Australian "Land Care" website provides information, frameworks and processes which can be used by those wishing to more effectively engage different groups of stakeholders in research and development initiatives, as well as information on stakeholder analysis and action research. Available at: http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/social/.
The rate of conversion of rural farmland to housing and commercial development rose dramatically in the U.S. during the mid-1990s, according to a new study by American Farmland Trust. The report finds that between 1992 and 1997, the nation lost more than 6 million acres of farmland. The report recommends more funding for agricultural conservation easements at all government levels; targeting conservation funds to the best, most threatened agricultural areas; and supporting effective planning and 'smart growth' strategies to counter wasteful development. The "Farming on the Edge" report, with national and state maps, is online at http://www.farmland.org; for print availability, contact AFT, (202) 331-7300; info@farmland.org.
A new, updated edition of Help Yourself to a Healthy Home: Protect Your Children's Health is now available. You can download the English version of the booklet from the Healthy Homes website at: http://www.uwex.edu/healthyhome. To order your free copy in English or Spanish contact the Healthy Home Partnership Office, Room 303 Hiram Smith Hall, 1545 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706, (608) 262-0024, or email homeasys@uwex.edu. Ten or more copies cost $1.00 each plus shipping.
Agricultural Environmental Management Systems. This full-color, 11-page booklet introduces the basics of agricultural EMS. Available in pdf format or hardcopy. Visit: http://www.uwex.edu/AgEMS/resources.html.
MTBE Brochure. Published with support from the EPA Source Water Protection office, this full color educational brochure about MTBE (in gasoline) identifies risks to groundwater, and discusses sources, prevention, and other information. It includes a checklist in the FAS/HAS style to educate a rural water user through understanding risk factors. Available through: http://www.uwex.edu/farmandhome/wqpaap/pdf/mtbe.pdf. Printed copies, with space to add state-specific information are available from FHEM, (608) 262-0024.
Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst Online Library. Looking for assessment worksheets and factsheets? Access the searchable online index of more than 700 items that have been produced for Farm*A*Syst, Home*A*Syst and related programs nationwide. The index includes both general and state-specific materials. Visit: http://www1.uwex.edu/ces/farmasyst/library/librarysearch.cfm.
Return to top of pageCredit for newsletter content due in part to "Alternative Agriculture News" from the Henry A. Wallace Center for Agricultural & Environmental Policy at Winrock International, "Agriculture And Natural Resources News" from the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; "The Recharge Report" from the Groundwater Foundation; and "Wildlines Report" from the State Environmental Resource Center.
