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American Farmland Trust - BMP Challenge
- By Water Stewardship, Inc.
- July 2010Ongoing test in the Shenandoah Valley
Click to View AFT BMP ChallengeWSI Information Sheet #2 on Transition to Grazing
- By Water Stewardship, Inc.
- March 2010Click to View WSI Information Sheet #2
WSI Information Sheet #1 on Managing P Based on Soil P Saturation
- By Water Stewardship, Inc.
- March 2010Click to View WSI Information Sheet #1
WSI has put together some information on starter P fertilizer for corn
- By Water Stewardship, Inc.
- February 2, 2010Click here for a short 2-sided handout or here for a longer version of the handout which contains additional information and references.
News
Farmer Advisory Committee Forms and First Meeting Held
- By Water Stewardship, Inc.
- September 4, 2010On August 25, 2010 the WSI Farmer Advisory Committee was convened in Bridgewater, Virginia. The Committee consists of twelve farmers who represent the diversity of Shenandoah Valley agriculture who have either participated in WSI program during the 2009 or 2010 growing season. The FAC will meet two times per year to provide feedback to the WSI approach.
Among the topics under discussion were the findings from the WSI 2009 beta test report and the policy recommendations that became apparent from the project. The next meeting will be held in December 2010 or January 2011 where topics will include how to increase conservation revenue opportunities and ways to advance on farm waste to energy projects.
Dale Gardner appointed to the Virginia Regulatory Advisory Panel
- By Water Stewardship, Inc.
- March 14, 2010Dale Gardener, WSI Chesapeake Agricultural Program Coordinator, has been appointed to participate in a Regulatory Advisory Panel regarding the re-issuance of the Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) General Permit Regulation for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). This advisory panel is part of DEQ's public involvement process for regulatory development. The current regulation for the general permit became effective in August 2004, and will expire on December 31, 2010.
This advisory panel will discuss changes to the DEQ regulations to address changes in the federal EPA CAFO regulation that became effective in December of 2008, and include the categories of duty to apply, public notice requirements and nutrient management plan requirements. The most substantive change will be the requirements for public notice associated with the permit. There will be notice requirements for initial coverage, as well as for significant changes to the nutrient management plan. The federal Environmental Protection Agency will also be participating in the advisory panel to help clarify the federal requirements.
Dale Gardner Discusses Water Quality Issues in the Shenandoah Valley on Virginia Public Television
- By Water Stewardship, Inc.
- October 9, 2009Dale Gardener, WSI Chesapeake Agricultural Program Coordinator, and Ann Jennings, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, discuss water quality issues in the Shenandoah Valley with Virginia Farming host Jeff Ishee. The twelve minute interview can be found on the web at http://www.wvpt.net/programming/vf/vfvideos.html. Just click on episode #827. Learn more information about Virginia Farming Episodes
Tom Simpson was appointed to a National Academy of Sciences Committee on the Mississippi River Basin
- By Water Stewardship, Inc.
- June 2009In June 2009, Tom Simpson accepted a two-year appointment to serve on the National Academies' Committee on the Clean Water Act Implementation Across the Mississippi River Basin. The committee will provide advice to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other relevant parties on strategic priorities and alternatives for specific actions regarding Clean Water Act implementation across the Mississippi River Basin. Through a series of workshops, the committee will identify actions to improve water quality throughout the Basin and the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Tom Simpson was invited as a member of an international team assessing environmental Impacts of biofuels.
- By Water Stewardship, Inc.
- April 2009Tom Simpson was a member of an international team of scientists who participated in a "rapid assessment" workshop on the environmental effects of biofuel technologies. Among the findings it was noted that biofuels production would worsen water quality. The full report, Biofuels: Environmental Consequences and Interactions with Changing Land Use, can be found at http://cip.cornell.edu/biofuels/
Beta Test Farmers Identified
- By Water Stewardship, Inc.
- April 2009Over forty Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, farmers have been recruited for the WSI Beta Test. A variety of farms types are represented, including dairy and poultry, beef cattle, and swine. The farm acreage represented is about 20,000 acres. Farm information is being gathered and protocols for determination of individual farm Conservation Baselines are being prepared.
Ron Korcak was invited to be a member of the USDA Biodiesel Education Oversight Committee
- By Water Stewardship, Inc.
- March 2, 2009Ron Korcak was invited to be a member of the USDA Biodiesel Education Oversight Committee. The Committee will oversee the $5 million ($1 million/yr for 5 years) Biodiesel Education grant that was awarded to the National Biodiesel Board and the University of Idaho. The Biodiesel Education grant was authorized under the 2007 Farm Bill and was established to promote the expanded use of biodiesel.
In Maryland, Focus on Poultry Industry Pollution
- By IAN URBINA
- November 29, 2008As officials seek new rules on how farmers can spread or store chicken manure, the industry is fighting back.
Read ArticleWater Stewardship, Inc. website is now LIVE!!
- November 13, 2008Our website is now live!! Click below to send us your feedback on our contact page.
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