Environmental Stewardship:Defining Your Ethic in a Policy Statement

Thomas Bass, Montana State UniversityJill 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. 2010• 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 FarmEnvironmental Policy Statement

A policy statement briefly describes your operation and includes commitments to:1. Environmental stewardship2. Continual improvement3. 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: – jheemstra@unl.edu

• Tommy Bass: – tmbass@montana.edu