A Pollution Prevention Initiative for Farm Petroleum Tanks

Summer 1996

Petroleum Retailers Promote P2 with Farm Customers

"Our expectations were definitely exceeded by a recent public/private partnership, formed for promoting pollution prevention with farm storage and handling of gasoline and diesel fuels," says Liz Nevers, Outreach Specialist, National Farm*A*Syst/Home Programs. This pilot partnership is providing special information packets to farmers, sponsoring educational displays at Wisconsin county fairs, and holding several on-farm workshops, with the goal of preventing fuel contamination of soils, surface and ground water.

Funded as part of an EPA Region 5 PPIS grant awarded to the National Farm*A*Syst Program, the partnership included petroleum retailers Danco Prairie FS Coop, Madison, Wis., and Haskins Gas and Oil, Lancaster, Wis.; project members from national and state Farm*A*Syst programs; state petroleum organizations; University of Wisconsin - Extension; and the Wisconsin Department of Commerce.

A Pollution Prevention Packet for Farmers

Members of the partnership team agreed early on that farmers lack information about tank regulations and the environmental risks associated with petroleum storage handling. Therefore, this informational packet was devised to:

Create awareness of the pollution and fire risks and their impact,

Educate farmers about state codes,

Give farmers directions and tools to prevent pollution, and

Provide information on additional assistance and services.

Rather than creating all new materials, each member organization supplied relevant items. The team jointly came up with the idea of making the packet a working file folder, with record keeping functions. The retailers also promoted special tank-upgrade equipment, such as automatic shut-off nozzles, and included coupons in the information packet to encourage farmers to purchase the equipment.

Along with the retailers' fuel managers, the fuel delivery truck drivers participated in program orientation training session. The drivers then delivered the packets during their regular farm refueling stops.

Each packet contains:

A fact sheet on the risks petroleum contamination poses to surface and groundwater,
Brochures explaining Wisconsin codes for farm tanks,
Four tank decals, required by code,
Information on state funds for petroleum clean-up,
The Wisconsin Farm*A*Syst Petroleum Storage and Handling risk assessment worksheet and fact sheet,
Spill response information,
Record keeping forms for tanks, and
Information on finding additional assistance.

County Fairs

Along with local county Extension agents, the retailers also co-sponsored an educational display, "A Farm Petroleum Tank Check-Up," at the Columbia, Dane and Grant county fairs. It provided basic information on tank hazards, USTs, ASTs and management tips. Simple tank up-grade equipment (pollution prevention equipment), like new hoses and automatic shut-off nozzles, were also shown.

The Extension offices also provided technical and outreach support, developed publicity materials, mailed out flyers and news releases, gave local radio and television reports, networked with local officials and organizations, and helped provide free space at the county fairs. Space at the Dane County Fair would have cost $650 if it were not donated.

On-Farm Demos

For years, county Extension agents have used on-farm demonstrations as an informal, hands-on learning event. Suggested by the local agents on the team, the "Farm Fuel Tank Demonstrations" provided a non-threatening setting to discuss regulations and liability issues, as well as show actual farm tanks. Go here to see the brochure used to advertise these demonstration projects and learn how you can make your own brochure using this model.

The displays from the county fairs were also used on the farms, and the Extension agents again took the lead on planning and running the demonstrations.

Benefits of Partnerships

These local partnerships between Extension agents and petroleum retailers are a dynamite combination. Their efforts had emergency government staff, local fire chiefs, insurance underwriters and state tank specialists participating in the on-farm demonstrations. This attracted real estate agents, county health officials, environmental consultants, insurance agents, local press, farm press and other petroleum retailers.

Already, county Extension agents have seen an increase in farmers calling with tank questions. Also, a local Realtors association, state insurance company and a regional farm supply coop are all planning activities or workshops based on this pilot project.

Tip Sheets and Web Pages

A concise series of tip sheets aimed at petroleum retailers has been created under the guidance of Tom Blewett, UW Extension, Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center (SHWEC). These tip sheets are available online. Along with the informational packet, these will be part of a farm customer pollution prevention "kit" for use by local retailers and state trade associations. These kits provide the information needed to replicate this project.

The tip sheets cover topics such as:: Fuel Storage Issues and Concerns for Farmers; Fuel Storage Issues and Opportunities for Suppliers; Marketing Opportunities and Benefits; Sponsoring Fuel Storage Education for Farmers

For more information this project, contact the National Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst Programs at farmasys@uwex.edu or 608-262-0024.

Created by: Richard Castelnuovo, rcasteln@students.wisc.edu
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