The document discusses the Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) project. It aims to educate new and beginning animal producers about environmental stewardship. The BELAA project provides educational materials and an Environmental Leaders Program. The program offers assistance with environmental planning and assessments, scholarships, and recognition for producers who complete educational requirements and implement conservation practices. The overall goal is to develop environmental leaders in the agriculture industry and improve public perception of animal agriculture.

1. Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture Thomas Bass, Montana State University Jill Heemstra, University of Nebraska Peter Juergens, Pork Producer, Iowa Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

2. Environmental Concern Primarily non-point source water pollution Collective run-off from an area (picture depicts sediment from a large construction site) In animal ag: run-off could be from confinement areas, manure and feed storage, or land application areas… Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

3. Existing Regulations Primarily water quality driven Clean Water Act (CWA: USEPA, 1972, ‘77 & ’87) CAFO Permitting (in-flux) 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) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

4. On the Horizon: Air and Emissions Green House Gasses (CH4, CO2, N2O…) Particulate Matter (dust) Odor and nuisance – least regulation/most citizen complaints Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

5. Related Issues Urban encroachment Neighbor relations Consumer concerns/demands Lack of food, fiber and natural resource literacy within general public Changing policy and regulation Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

6. Becoming a Leader Animal 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. Find your voice; join a commodity group, chamber of commerce, get involved in local politics, state and beyond… Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

7. BELAA Project New and Beginning Producer Specific… Educational materials (publications & presentations) Online tools, webcasts and social networking Access to expertise Live seminars at NYFEA events Curriculum support for HS Ag Teachers Environmental Leaders Program Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

8. Environmental Leaders Program GOALS Provide education and technical information for new and beginning animal producers Facilitate advocacy and communication Encourage leadership Reward accomplishments Improve public perception Enhance conservation and stewardship Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

9. Environmental Leaders Program Benefits: Assistance with environmental assessment and planning on your farm $500 scholarship to NYFEA events Official recognition, local and ag press Assistance in sharing your story, advocating for agriculture in your community and beyond Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

10. Environmental Leaders Program Requirements: Complete educational programs on environmental stewardship in animal agriculture Implement a management practice on your farm, ranch or feeding operation Talk or present at a function about your operation Work with NYFEA and BELAA project staff to develop a case study about your involvement Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

11. Environmental Leaders Program Getting involved: Nominate yourself Nominate a producer Not a farmer or rancher? “Advocate Award” Complete similar course of education Complete outreach/communication project Funds permitting, similar benefits Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

12. Juergens Environmental Control “Creating Healthy Environments To Produce Healthy Farms!” Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

13. Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

14. Stewards of the Land - 2010 Cut to Video, by: National Pork Board Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

15. Air Quality Inside the Barns Gases – Ammonia, Hydrogen Sulfide, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Volatile Acids (VFA)’s, Amines and Mercaptans. Particulate Matter – Dried Fecal Matter, Feed Dust, and Hog Dander. Odor – Combination of gas and particulate matter. Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

16. Uncertain Future FeedStuffs Feb. 2010 Area residents and elected officials are now expressing fear that the consent decree could force Premium Standard Farms of Missouri to cease operations. NAEMS Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

18. “Next Generation” Environmental Systems Juergens Environmental Control offers the most complete environmental control systems available in the world treating all sources of noxious gas, dust and odor. Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

19. Treating the Sources Air Filtration Atomization Aerobic Neutralizer Anaerobic Neutralizer Siemens S7-200 Controllers Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

20. Agriculture History in the Making Monitoring for over 2.5 years NH3 Average = 0.03 ppm H2S Average = 0.00 ppm Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

21. Dirty Facts Market weight 250 lbs. 1.5 tons of waste Runoff, Leaching, Volatilization Headaches, Nausea Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

22. Benefits Performance Manure Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

23. Benefits Beyond Compliance NMP or similar environmental plan can: Allow for better use of on-site manure nutrients; save on fertilizer purchases & improve soil Reduce liability of spills/water pollution Document/defend against environmental accusation Improve access to credit and insurance Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

24. Currently We are working with ISU by monitoring and evaluating our aerobic system and its ability to harvest NH3. Continue to advocate and champion ag. Have had over 250 people tour our farms since 2008 including tourists from Australia, Brazil, Germany and Holland. Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

25. Currently Involved with Ag groups, National Pork Board, Natural Resource Conservation Service, USDA, all at National, State and local level. Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

26. What we Know. Average Person is three generations removed from the farm. Our industry is hurting due to this. Let’s clean up our industry and bring our kids back to work. Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

27. 5th Generation Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

28. Thank You! Contact Us: Peter Juergens peterj@jpfco.biz 712 – 830 – 9173 Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

29. Project Contact Information Jill Heemstra: jheemstra@unl.edu Tommy Bass: tmbass@montana.edu 406.994.5733 Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011

30. Conclusion and Questions Thank you for your time and your commitment to agriculture’s future! Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA) Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2011