Professional Development for Agricultural Service Providers in Pollution Discharge Elimination System

Professional Development for Agricultural Service Providers in Pollution Discharge Elimination System

Summary

In an attempt to minimize pollution, regulations were recently approved giving the West Virginia (WV) Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) the framework to issue a WV/NPDES (National Pollution Discharge Elimination System) permit to animal Feeding operations (AFOs) with the potential to discharge contaminants into water ways. The regulations regarding designated concentrated AFOs (CAFOs) are poorly understood by WV producers and Agriculture Service Providers (ASPs). Concerns of producers include the cost and paper work involved if their operation is designated a CAFO and the potential liability associated with non-compliance. The new regulations have been identified as a major risk factor that can influence the WV livestock producers’ decision to exit the industry. ASPs are frequently asked about the legislation, its impact, and management strategies that can be used to ensure compliance or avoid being designated a CAFO. ASPs generally feel illequipped to handle such requests. Over 75 % (41) of county extension agents) indicated they lacked sufficient knowledge on the new AFO rule and regulations to effectively assist producers. Eighty-five (85) percent of ASPs (46 persons) were unsure if the small and pasture-based livestock operations they serve can be exempted from the permitting process, and were unsure how to sift through the regulatory jargon to make this determination. All ASPs indicated they require training about nonpoint source (NPS) pollution management strategies to better assist livestock operators before they are faced with possible WVPDES permit requirements and enforcement. These issues pointed to a strong need to engage WV ASP in a comprehensive educational program’ which was the basis of this project. This project engaged WV ASPs and farmer leaders in a program of education focusing on the rules and regulation regarding National Pollution Discharge Elimination System and best management practices (BMPs) of conservation standards. Through a combination of workshops, on-farm tours and provision of a training resource kit, ASPs developed knowledge and skills in the CAFO rules, BMPs, development of nutrient management plans, alternative management systems to reduce NPS pollution and record keeping to become confident and cable of training, monitoring and advising producers on rules related to CAFOs and NPDES. Fourteen 14 of the 70 ASPs who receive training are conducting educational programs for at least 20 producers each about BMPs and related record-keeping that livestock operations can voluntarily undertake to reduce NPSP. Seventy producers will implement at least one of the recommended BMPs and complete the relevant records provided to them.

Objectives/Performance Targets

14 of the 70 ASPs who receive training will conduct an educational program for at least 20 producers each about BMPs and related record-keeping that livestock operations can voluntarily undertake to reduce NPSP. Seventy of these 280 producers implement at least one of the recommended BMPs and complete the relevant records provided to them by the project team.

Accomplishments/Milestones

1. Seventy ASPs who work with livestock producers in WV received notifications to participate in the program on best management strategies related to the new CAFO rule and completed an online survey about their current level of knowledge and learning needs. Sept-Dec ’12)

2. One hundred and forty (140) ASPs (twice as targeted) attended 1 workshop and field tour and learned about recommended BMPs and related record-keeping associated with the new CAFO rule. Five identical workshops were conducted throughout the state. ASP’s participated in a post-training feedback survey to assess their knowledge, skills and attitude changes as a results of project participation. (Jan-May, 2013).

3. The ASPs were divided into 14 groups representing each of the WVCA’s 14 conservation districts. Each of these 14 districts was assigned a designated ‘AFO-trained’ ASP, who led/coordinated a multi-county farmers’ training program. One hundred and forty (140) ASPs received a comprehensive training resources kit including curriculum materials, presentations, record-keeping materials, and verification surveys to use in their own education programs. (Jan-May ’13)

4. Fourteen ‘lead’ ASPs start developing and conducting an education program so producers can learn about the basic BMPs producers can voluntarily undertake to reduce NPSP, and the related record-keeping forms necessary to provide evidence of actions to regulatory agencies. Twelve of these workshops have been conducted to date. (Mar- Dec ‘13). Producers complete post-training feedback survey to help evaluate their knowledge, skills and attitude changes as a result of project participation.

5. Each ‘lead’ ASPs identified 5 producers from each district (70 producers) to implement at least one of the recommended BMPs and complete the relevant project-specific records provided by the project team. ASPs are working individually with and tracking the progress of the producers, post-training. The educational team are responding to requests for and assists with one-on-one farmer visits to help producers complete project-related record-keeping forms. (May-Dec ’13)

• Record Keeping Systems for Small and Medium Livestock Farms with Associated ‘Top Ten’ Best Management Practices
• ASP Post-Training Survey – AFO Regulations Professional Development Training
• Producer Post-Training Survey Cover Letter
• AGENDA – AFO Regulations Professional Development Training (ASP)
• Producer Post-Training Survey

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

This project engaged WV ASPs and farmer leaders in a program of education focusing on the rules and regulation regarding National Pollution Discharge Elimination System and best management practices (BMPs) of conservation standards that owners of small and pastoral livestock operation can voluntarily undertake to reduce nonpoint source pollution (NPSP). Workshops and field tours highlighted development of CNMPs and demonstrated how BMPs can prevent, reduce or control a potential water quality problem, and equally important, how practicing these BMPs can simultaneously improve the efficiency and productivity of the operation. The workshops also addressed the importance of and demonstrated how to provide evidence of these actions as a defense if regulatory agencies or concerned citizens should question progress towards reducing NPSP. The project engaged ASP and farmers leaders in the use and application of a record-keeping workbook. The project demonstrated how to keep appropriate records of BMPs as evidence of these actions to regulatory agencies, how to use these records to determine where potential NPS pollution might be occurring, and how to reduce NPS pollution while maintaining profitable operations. In addition to meeting baseline conservation and regulatory standards, trainees better understood the additional benefits of BMPs including additional farm improvements related to soil fertility and productivity, lower costs for chemical use, and improved wildlife and fish habitat. The project added to ongoing efforts of building a unique partnership of agricultural agencies (Extension Service and WVDA) and other organizations (DEP, NRCS, WVCA) that support ASPs in their efforts to help producers reduce NPSP and enhance water quality. The team educated ASP and farmer leaders on approaches to reduce NPS pollution while maintaining profitable operations. Producers were able to access resources for partnering agencies to assist i the environmental stewardship plans (eg. NRCS’ EQUIP incentive program).

Collaborators: