Environmental Stewardship: Defining Your Ethic in a Policy Statement Thomas Bass, Montana State University Jill Heemstra, University of Nebraska - Lincoln Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

Fuel Storage US EPA – new rules in effect Nov Spill Prevention, Control & Countermeasure Plan (SPCC) above-ground fuel storage capacity exceeding 1,320 gallons 42,000 gallons (capacity) of buried containers Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA)

Other Environmental Issues Air Quality: interrelated issues – chemical compounds – odor & dust Noxious Weeds Wildlife/habitat Others? Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA)

Overwhelmed? Help is available…. – Extension – Young Farmer/Rancher Advisors – USDA-NRCS – Conservation Districts – Fellow Producers – Consultants Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA)

Educate Yourself Publications from land-grant universities, agencies, associations and NGOs Valid online resources! Local, state & national events or conferences Farmer-to-Farmer, mentors, colleagues, peers – In-person (local connections) – Industry groups, commodity groups – Online; social media Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA)

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)

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)

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)

BREAK FOR DISCUSSION Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA)

Planning Starts with a Farm Environmental Policy Statement A policy statement briefly describes your operation and includes commitments to: 1.Environmental stewardship 2.Continual improvement 3.Compliance with all pertinent laws and regulations Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA)

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)

Environmental Policy Statements Description: 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)

Environmental Policy Statements Stewardship: 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)

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)

BREAK FOR EXERCISE (examples & worksheets) Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA)

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 social/online networking Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA)

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)

Conclusion and Questions Thank you for your time and your commitment to environmental stewardship! Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA)

Contact Information Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Jill Heemstra: – Tommy Bass: –