1. Farmed Smart Sustainable Ag Certification Ty Meyer, Production Ag Manager, Spokane CD March 23, 2015

2. 1) Provide an overview of the Farmed SMART program. 2) Start the process of working with NRCS to determine how Farmed SMART can be integrated into NRCS conservation efforts. Meeting Objectives

3. Produce enough food to feed 9 Billion people by 2050 Responsibilities of Ag

4. Protect waterways while keeping working lands working Responsibilities of Ag

5. Reduce impact of climate change and mitigate air pollution Responsibilities of Ag

6. Protect against drought and floods Responsibilities of Ag

7. Farming in concert with the environment Responsibilities of Ag

8. About the Program Offers farmers a promotable consumer brand for their adherence to defined conservation standards, certifies that they are utilizing sustainable practices, and develops markets for certified sustainable product

9. Define a set of standards that provide clear documentation of environmental and economic benefits o 1 st 3 years = 200 farms = 500,000 acres o 2.5 Million tons/year of reduced soil erosion o 100 miles of riparian buffers implemented o Precision application and timing of chemicals = 10 – 20% reduction of chemical usage o 40% Reduction in the use of fossil fuels, and 4X less emissions o Increase carbon sequestration and OM in soil o Increase water holding capacity by 10-25% o Improved wildlife and fish habitat o Document increase in number of acres and environmental improvements over time Certification Objectives

10. Recognize & differentiate certified producers by adding value to their crops and farms o Letter of regulatory compliance o Eligible for carbon credit programs and conservation incentives o Development of market access and premiums for sustainable practices Innovative way to increase adoption of direct seed cropping systems Certification Objectives

11. Regulatory & Policy Washington State Conservation Commission Washington Department of Ecology WA, OR, and ID State NRCS Soil Conservationists Marketing Campbell’s/Pepperidge Farms PNW Farmers Co-operative Salmon Safe Monitoring Rhizoterra Palouse Rock Lake CD Audits and Technical Support Palouse CD RCPP WIRA 34 Spokane CD Outreach and Communications Spokane CD Palouse CD, Pine Creek CD, Lincoln CD, Adams CD Umatilla County SWCD (Oregon) Latah and Portineuf Soil & Water Idaho CD’s Washington Association of Wheat Growers Certification Partners

12. Certification Implementation Goals Certifying 200 farms/500,000 acres in WA, OR, ID o With next 3 years First 10 producers no certification fees – pilot Fees offset by DOE grant Potential to work with Palouse CD RCPP grant 6 months timeline Next 30 producers – reduced certification fees Fees offset by DOE grant 1 Year timeline

13. 37 Criteria Evaluated in 6 Categories 1.Water Quality 2.Air Quality 3.Soil Health 4.Wildlife Habitat 5.Energy Conservation 6.Economic Sustainability Points are awarded on a best management practices rating scale that allows for a variety of management methods and equipment to be used – a results-oriented approach Cumulative score must be met with no disqualifying criteria Criteria Summary

14. 1) Improve water quality Soil Tillage Index Rating o Low disturbance <30 STIR Required usage of precision placement for applying fertilizer o 10-20 % reduction in chemical usage through overlap alone Use of soil tests to develop nutrient management plan Implement buffer strips along water sources Key Criteria Overview

15. 1)Continued.. Buffers and Erosion: Working on a “Buffer Equivalency Rating System” Key Criteria Overview

16. Outputs: LocationSoilT valueSlope length (horiz) Avg. slope steepness, % USA\Washington\Spokane County\WA_Spokane_Req_18- 20 Spokane County, Washington\4002 Cedonia ashy silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes\Cedonia Ashy silt loam 70% 5.022020.0 49% reduction in soil Loss Conventional Tillage System (STIR 120-150 with buffer) annual cropping compared to Direct Seed (27 STIR) with a buffer 10% reduction in soil Delivery Base managemen t DescriptionContouring Strips / barriers Diversion/ter race, sediment basin Soil loss erod. portion, t/ac/yr Soil detachment, t/ac/yr Cons. plan. soil loss, t/ac/yr Sed. delivery, t/ac/yr -- mixed -- WW-SW- SW-Peas w/20' Buffer a. rows up- and-down hill man. strips set in profile (none)3.813.533.170.897 -- mixed -- WW-SW- SW-Peas w/35' Buffer a. rows up- and-down hill man. strips set in profile (none)3.643.222.690.771 -- mixed -- WW-SW- SW-Peas w/50' Buffer a. rows up- and-down hill man. strips set in profile (none)3.392.842.160.672 -- mixed -- WW-SW- SW-Peas w/100' Buffer a. rows up- and-down hill man. strips set in profile (none)2.301.770.9900.452 CMZ 47\c.Other Local Mgt Records\ww- sw-sw-peas, DS Direct Seed a. rows up- and-down hill (none) 1.26 -- mixed -- WW-WW- SW-Peas Direct seed w/10' Buffer a. rows up- and-down hill man. strips set in profile (none)1.221.191.140.484 -- mixed -- WW-WW- SW-Peas Direct seed w/20' Buffer a. rows up- and-down hill man. strips set in profile (none)1.181.111.020.407

17. 2) Improve air quality Crop residue on the field eliminates wind erosion and reduces dust storms Reduction of fuel emissions from equipment because fewer passes are needed No field burning Key Criteria Overview

18. 3) Improve soil quality Annual soil tests required Positive Soil Conditioning Index Monitor maintenance or improvement of Soil Organic Matter STIR of 30 or less Key Criteria Overview

19. 4) Improve wildlife habitat Evaluate and document wildlife improvements Document riparian buffer implementation Key Criteria Overview

20. 5) Conserve energy and reduce carbon footprint Confirm # of passes & fuel usage Emissions level of tractors Evaluate carbon sequestration in the soil Looking at using NRCS CEET tool (Cons. Energy Estimation Tool) Key Criteria Overview

21. 6) Economic viability & sustainability Evaluating input costs of fuel, chemicals, labor, maintenance costs Key Criteria Overview

22. 1) Become a member of the Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association for $100 basic or $250 supporter membership 2) Complete and submit Farmed Smart Application 3) If notified to continue, pay certification fee and provide additional information on current conservation programs, RUSLE, nutrient management plans, etc. 4) Once payment and requested information is received an audit will be scheduled with a certified farm planner. 5) Farmer will be notified of certification results. Certification Process

23. Certification technical stakeholder committee will review the criteria against current best management practices, conservation practice standards, any field expectations or criteria review requests that have developed over the year. The criteria will be updated as approved by the committee. Technical Review & Recertification

24. Annually 10% of the currently certified farmers will be randomly selected for a recertification audit to ensure they continue to qualify for the current certification standards. Producers must show they are meeting or improving upon the certification standards to remain certified Producers implementing riparian buffers will be evaluated every two years to ensure they are meeting their phased-in certification standards. Recertification Process

25. Thank You PNDSA PO Box 5, Colton, WA 99113 pndsa@directseed.org 509-995-6335