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Farm air quality task force to meet in Fresno
FRESNO May 1, 2009 8:31am 
• To examine impact of agriculture on air pollution • ‘A pivotal time for agriculture and air quality’ Central Valley farmers, ranchers and others are expected for a two-day meeting in Fresno of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 25-member Agricultural Air Quality Task Force May 6-7.
"This is a pivotal time for agriculture and air quality," says Ed Burton, state conservationist of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service in California.
"The focus on energy and climate is creating more challenges -- and more opportunities -- for agriculture than ever before. At this meeting we will address technical issues associated with agriculture and forestry," he says.
Dave White, chief of the NRCS and chairman of the task force, is scheduled to open the meeting.
The agency's air quality operations in California include the launch of a new $10.9 million assistance package to agricultural producers for changes in their operations that will lead to lower on-farm emissions.
Other invited speakers and task force members are scheduled to provide briefings on air quality issues related to animal feeding operations, internal combustion engines, alternative fuels, ozone and particulate matter (both PM-10 and PM-2.5).
The Agricultural Air Quality Task Force was created by Congress after determining that some past studies of farm-related air quality were based on erroneous data. Congress ordered that federal policy in regard to air pollution be “based on sound scientific findings that are subject to adequate peer review and take into account economic feasibility.”
Comments on this story
John Skinner 5/2/09 10:25 AM
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