Agriculture

Guiding Principles

Continual environmental improvement
Enhanced relationships and partnerships with the agriculture community
Increased knowledge and understanding of agriculture and the environment
Improved internal networks and process management

Proposed Rule: Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases

Region 7 Agriculture Team Members Present Ag 101 Training for EPA Employees

As part of Ag Week in June 2009, Ag 101 training covered environmental issues and stewardship, and topics included: history of agriculture, agricultural statistics, agribusiness, anhydrous ammonia, concentrated animal feeding operations, conservation practices, crop production, environmentally sound farming practices, grain elevators, livestock production, pesticides and renewable fuels, and other topics. Now in its third year, Ag 101 training is part of EPA's ongoing effort to educate staff about the intersections of ag and the environment. Pictured (left to right): Heather Duncan, Ag Team Co-Chair; Donna Porter, CAFO Permit Coordinator; Alan Banwart, Acting Associate Ag Advisor and Ag Team Co-Chair; and Kris Lancaster, Public Affairs Specialist.

EPA Recognizes Missouri Facility for Energy Savings and Emissions Reductions

EPA presented an Energy Star Combined Heat and Power Award to the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission for energy savings and pollution reduction innovations at the POET Biorefining Ethanol Plant in Laddonia, Mo., in April 2009. The combustion turbine-based system increases operating efficiency and cuts energy costs, while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 31,000 tons annually, or that of 5,200 cars. Combined heat and power equipment is an excellent fit for the large-scale electricity needs of dry mill ethanol plants. Pictured (left to right): Scott Lucas, Macon Missouri Utilities; John Grotzinger, Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission; and William Rice, Acting EPA Region 7 Administrator.

Video of Energy Star Combined Heat and Power Award Presentation to the POET Biorefining Ethanol Plant in Laddonia, Missouri (Flash Player, 2.7 minutes, 5.1 MB, closed captioned).