Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
A coordinated educational effort with MSU E leadership has developed a new consulting industry in the state. Since 2002, Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMP) are required for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) of 1000 animal units or more by the DEQ and for any size livestock farm seeking cost share practices through the NRCS. MSUE has been coordinating classes since 2000 reaching over 300 potential consultants. We have gone from zero consultants to 21 persons who have passed through the educational process to be certified technical service providers. There are 12 more in various stages of becoming certified. 5 existing crop consultants in the state have expanded their businesses with increased customer base and provided employment for at least one additional person in their business to handle the workload. 7 people have begun new consulting businesses. 3 existing agri-businesses have devoted at least one staff person to work on CNMPs. 2 existing
engineering consulting firms have certified CNMP providers in Michigan. 5 persons have completed the certification process as requirements of their job but do not provide the service for hire. 125 NRCS and or Conservation District employees have also passed through the training as part of their job requirements. It is estimated that 300 farms in the state have been served by this consulting industry. Farmers have paid from $1000 to over $10,000 for their CNMPs, some have been cost shared through NRCS, to a maximum value of $4000 each. Over the past year, the following activities have occurred as a direct relationship to the grant and in developing this consulting industry. NRCS and MSUE developed and taught the first 2-day Nutrient Management Training, fulfilling an NRCS requirement for TSPs. Eighty-two people attended on June 22nd and 23rd, 2004. MSUE partnered with Michigan NRCS in coordinating two RUSLE 2 Soil Erosion Training sessions in March. Over 40 people attended the
training. MSUE and NRCS coordinated the first group meeting for all approved TSPs on October 29, 2004. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss current issues and concerns as well as provide updates on items relating to CNMP development. A milestone this year was hiring a computer software consultant to develop output from the Purdue Manure Management Planner (MMP) software that develops output acceptable for a CNMP. Consultants find this very efficient, saving vast amounts of time, and has improved the accuracy and consistency of output. MDEQ provided $10,000 toward this software development and Natalie Rector coordinated with the consultant to ensure accuracy of the output. Trainings have been held on how to utilize this software, a training workbook has been developed and over 60 people have attended one of 4 trainings and many are utilizing the template on a regular basis. An existing Example CNMP was then reformed to reflect the new template output. This has been distributed in
paper form and is available over the web at www.maeap.org. Three major newsletters to CNMP Providers were developed and mailed reaching 300 and an email list is used for communications.
Impacts
Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans are required by DEQ for 1000 animal unit and larger farms and for Natural Resource Conservation Service cost share funds. Since 2002, MSU Extensions lead in educational efforts in cooperation with NRCS, MDA and DEQ have generated 21 trained and certified CNMP provider with 12 more in process to become certified. This has generated seven new consulting businesses and allowed 10 existing consultants to expand their business. Producers in Michigan now have access to trained professionals to assist them in meeting new requirements.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/15/01 to 09/14/04
Outputs
29 people have successfully passed through all of the NRCS/MAEAP requirements to place themselves on the national NRCS TechReg web site as official Technical Service Providers (TSP) for Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan Development. MI may have the highest number of in-state residents, qualified as TSPs for CNMP development, in the nation. New consulting businesses are established, existing ones have expanded their staff and businesses with a higher value of service. An estimated 400 farms have been served or are in the process of being served by this industry. 103 farms have passed through the entire MAEAP verification process for livestock. NRCS and MSUE developed the first 2-day Nutrient Management Training, fulfilling an NRCS requirement for TSPs, two classes have reached 104. The 3-day CNMP training in Nov. 2003 and 05 reached 86. State NRCS staff from IN and OH attended the training and discussed moving the training to a different state each year, keeping it
viable, efficient and economical. Twelve trainings on specific topics were held for TSPs, NRCS and Conservation District employees in cooperation with MSUE, NRCS and MAEAP. Four trainings for MSU Extension Educators and Specialists were held on MAEAP, regulatory issues and management practices to be passed on via Extension efforts. 166 reached. A consultant developed CNMP output from the Purdue Manure Management Planner (MMP). TSPs report this improves accuracy and consistency of output. Trainings have reached over 70 people. The MAEAP had an existing web site, but was woefully outdated. A new site was outlined, a consulting firm hired, and a new site launched in Nov. 2005. The goal of the MAEAP web site is not only information pertaining to the ag environmental assurance program, but also to provide best management practices to users and to provide a one-stop, easy to use, location for users with regard to regulatory and sudo-regulatory issues, related to livestock, crops and
farmsteads. It hosts a calendar of events for farmers, consultant trainings and MAEAP committee meetings. The PI of this grant was the chair of this project. This can be found at the original address www.maeap.org The PI of this grant continues to network with all MAEAP partners in various projects. She serves on the MAEAP Communications and CNMP committees and the State-wide conference, Agriculture in the Environment being planned now, but to be held in January 2007. She also serves on a NRCS committee developing the first P Index for Michigan. A portion of the grant funds were utilized to partner with DEQ, MDA and NRCS to hire a new Nutrient Management specialist at the state NRCS office. After assisting funding this for 2 years, the state NRCS picked up the entire funding. This provided the first person at the state NRCS office to work full time in CNMP development and cooperate on joint projects to better the TSPs in the state. The Funds were also utilized to fund the PI of this
grant, and MSUE has picked up this funding full time at the completion of the grant funds. Submitted by N. Rector.
Impacts
Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans are required by DEQ for 1000 animal unit and larger farms and for Natural Resource Conservation Service cost share funds. Since 2002, MSU Extensions lead in educational efforts in cooperation with NRCS, MDA and DEQ has generated 29 trained and certified CNMP providers. This has generated eight new consulting businesses and allowed 10 existing consultants to expand their business with higher skill level services. Producers in Michigan now have access to trained professionals to assist them in meeting new requirements. Software enhancements and web site updates have provided additional tools for CNMP development. One-day specialized training events have continued annually to enhance skills of the plan providers. As of December 2005, 103 livestock farms in Michigan have used their CNMPs to complete the Michigan Dept. of Agricultures on-farm environmental verification assurance program.
Publications
- Rector, N. Bolinger, D. Spreading Manure on Frozen, Snow Covered Fields. Oct. 2004. Michigan Dairy Review. Vol. 9, No. 4. www.mdr.msu.edu
- Harrigan, T. Northcott, W. Bolinger, D. Rector, N. Capturing Land-Applied Manure in the Root Zone. April 2004. Michigan Dairy Review. Vol. 9, No. 4. www.mdr.msu.edu
- Bolinger, D. Rector, N. Corn Silage Leachate. July 2003. Michigan Dairy Review. Vol. 8, No. 3. www.mdr.msu.edu
- Bolinger, D. Rector, N. April 2003. Animal Lot Runoff Management. Michigan Dairy Review. Vol. 8, No. 2. www.mdr.msu.edu
- Rector, N. Cover Crop Benefit Winter Manure Spreading. July 2005. Michigan Dairy Review. Vol. 10, No. 3. www.mdr.msu.edu
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
The beginning of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Permits in Michigan on Dec. 02 accelerated the need for educational efforts for all programs related to manure management, especially those of the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). High priority issues were targeted for producers, Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) Providers, agencies, MSUE agents and the general public. CNMPs are a requirement for both CAFOs and livestock producers seeking NRCS EQIP funds. Grant funds were used to leverage matching funds, (2 yrs.) from MDA, DEQ and NRCS, to hire a full time, experienced person, housed at Michigan's NRCS state office to work on CNMP training. The impact of this is most notable in assisting in the process to certify plan providers and helping finalize a sample Dairy CNMP. The number of certified plan providers in the state has more than doubled (from 5 to 12) in the last year with more in process. The sample CNMP will
assist providers in more efficient plan development, reducing cost to the producer. $10,000 from DEQ to contract for software development as an add-on to the Purdue MMP will make another huge leap in plan development (expected to be completed Spring, 2004). Educational materials on high priority issues have been developed for producers. These include a four page handout on land base needs for manure, record keeping and assessing farms for discharges, co-authored by Natalie Rector, Dann Bolinger, MSU Dairy Agent and Jan Wilford, MDA. Articles on general manure management, surface spreading manure in winter and on tile drained fields, nutrient availability, pre-sidedress nitrate soil testing, calibration, record keeping, outdoor lots and silage leachate have been published in the ag media, in quarterly MAEAP newsletter, in Michigan Milk Producer's Milk Messenger magazine, in Farm Bureau's monthly page in their Michigan Farm News and other media. Two 30 minute tapes were cut for Michigan
Farm Radio Network. Power point presentations were developed for most of the priority subjects and were presented at two Ag Agent trainings and re-used in the field. Additional items are available at www.maeap.org. Summer field tours were held in four locations where Rector spoke at these events directly reaching 500. MSUE sponsored two more training sessons for CNMP providers (Feb. and Nov. 2003) reaching 88 industry and agency persons. 93% of participants rated the overall class a 4 on a 5-point scale, with 5 being excellent. Additional trainings have been held on engineering components, conservation practices and computer software. Greenstone, MMPA, Pork Producers, Farm Bureau and MSUE contributed funds ($2200) to print manure record keeping books, developed by MSUE, which have been widely distributed and reports have come in that producers are using them. Presentations on MAEAP and or manure management have been presented by the PI's at a the Great Lakes Expo in Grand Rapids, MSU
Ag Expo, World Pork Expo in Des Moines, at the national CNMP training in Tenn. and the Ninth International Symposium on Animal, Agricultural and Food Processing Wastes in Raleigh, NC.
Impacts
Using these funds to leverage funding (from MDA, DEQ and NRCS) for a full time person to work on training for CNMP development has increased the number of training opportunities, helped edit a sample Dairy CNMP, and speeded the certification process resulting in doubling the number of plan providers in the state. This will decrease the cost of CNMP development to the producer. Priority manure management issues (winter spreading, record keeping, tile drains, land base for phosphorus, discharges and open lots) have received widespread press, increasing the awareness of improved management practices to producers. Awareness of the new CAFO permit process has been excellent, as almost half of the anticipated CAFO's in the state have submitted their letter of intent to DEQ. There are testimonials that practices such as soil testing, manure sampling, calibration and record keeping are much improved on farms such that the natural resource base is better protected.
Publications
- Bickert, W. Rector, N. Piggott, S. Wilford, J. Wuycheck, R. and Wickey, K. 2003. The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program. Proceedings of the Ninth International Symposium on Animal, Agricultural and Food processing Wastes 1:251-256.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
This project has been approved by USDA CSREES for a one-year, no-cost extension. The new project dates are 9/15/02 to 9/14/05. The project investigators are currently exploring partnership arrangements with other state agencies to establish an Agriculture Environmental Specialist position. We anticipate filling the position by spring 2003, when educational activities will begin.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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