ANR News
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Vol. 10, #12 Special Edition
This electronic newsletter from Extension to Agriculture and Natural Resources will be sent on an occasional basis to ag field specialists and all CEEDs. It is intended to provide current information to its readers. Let us know of topics you would like addressed.
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IN THIS EDITION:
ISU Extension and the College of Agriculture Provide Input for State and Federal Rulemaking Packages
Organic Agriculture Training for Field Staff
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ISU EXTENSION AND THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE PROVIDE INPUT FOR STATE AND FEDERAL RULEMAKING PACKAGES
Earlier today (September 19), the Environmental Protection Commission discussed possible prohibition of liquid swine manure to ground being planted to soybean. The EPC agenda item regarding this issue can be found at http://www.iowadnr.com/epc/06sep/22.pdf. At the time this newsletter was written, the outcome of this discussion was not available. The ISU College of Agriculture submitted comments regarding this proposal. Dean Wintersteen submitted an email letter to DNR Director, Jeff Vonk and members of the Environmental Protection Commission on September 15, 2006. A copy of the ISU comments from faculty in the Agronomy and Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Departments can be found at: http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/immag/prmn.html. This site also contains previous comments submitted by the College of Ag, the information item from the EPC meeting in May addressing this issue and other materials related to this issue.
Comments regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed revisions to the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) rule were due to EPA by August 29. A copy of the comments submitted by the ISU College of Agriculture and ISU Extension can be found on the IMMAG web site at: http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/immag/info/ISUCAFOCommentsAug06.pdf. These comments, developed in cooperation with members of the Heartland Water Quality Initiative, focus on the information producers should have to submit for the NPDES permit and subsequent nutrient management plans and what should be available to the public for nutrient management plan review versus the information producers need to develop flexible and viable nutrient management plans. Comments regarding extension of the agricultural stormwater exemption to mid-size and smaller producers are also included. It is anticipated the final version of the CAFO rules may be available by the end of this year.
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ORGANIC AGRICULTURE TRAINING FOR FIELD STAFF
County Extension Education Directors and Field Specialists are invited to participate in two organic agriculture training opportunities.
The 2nd Annual Organic Growers Conference is scheduled for November 2-3 in Woodbury County at Sergeant Bluff. The first day is available at no cost. The second-day’s registration fee and your mileage will be covered by reimbursement from the ISU Extension Sustainable Agriculture program for CEEDs and field specialists desiring sustainable agriculture training. If interested in attending, please register at www.woodburyiowa.com
Also available for your sustainable agriculture in-service is the 6th Annual ISU Organic Conference scheduled for November 20 in Ames. Your registration and mileage will be reimbursed if you attend this program also. See registration details at: https://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/organic06/quickregister.html
For either conference, please inform Jerry DeWitt to arrange for registration and mileage reimbursement.
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Publisher: Gerald Miller
Managing Editor: Paul Brown
Editor: Julie Honeick