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Agriculture Fact Sheet
May 2008
Region 7 Strategic Agriculture Priorities
Build a strong and valued partnership between EPA Region 7 and agriculture, focused on achieving environmental outcomes. It is important that we understand the agriculture community and build relationships with the various entities within them to help foster practical and effective environmental solutions. Agriculture-related industries in Region 7 demonstrate creativity over a range of issues from ethanol to biodiesel to recovering methane from animal waste.
Internal and External Outreach
Our Agriculture Team is improving Region 7’s knowledge and understanding of agriculture through a variety of methods, such as Ag 101 annual training, agriculture speaker series, agriculture conferences, and monthly meetings to share information. EPA Region 7 staff participates in a variety of agriculture conferences, such as the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, Commodity Classic, Governor’s Conferences on Agriculture, and National Ethanol Conference. EPA is initiating meetings with association staff representing farmers and ranchers.
Media Outreach
EPA Region 7 Administrator John Askew has initiated meetings and interviews with a number of agriculture reporters and farm broadcasters. This has resulted in coverage by Brownfield Ag Network, WHO Radio (Des Moines), Biofuels Journal, Wallace’s Farmer, Feedstuffs, High Plains Journal, Successful Farming, Nebraska Rural Radio Network, Missouri Ruralist, and many others in the Midwest.
Recent News
- EPA developed a first-ever Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee.
- Iowa State University and EPA hosted a biofuels meeting in Ames, Iowa.
- Region 7 developed an ethanol manual of federal and state environmental information.
- EPA proposed additional options for the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation Rule.
- Region 7 notified businesses that produce pesticides to file production reports.
Contacts
Alan Banwart
Region 7 Agriculture Team Co-Leader
(913) 551-7819
banwart.alan@epa.gov
Heather Duncan
Region 7 Agriculture Team Co-Leader
(913) 551-7640
duncan.heather@epa.gov
For more information, visit: www.epa.gov/region07/priorities/agriculture
