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USDA Agricultural Air Quality Task Force to Meet in Fresno

Posted on: Friday, 1 May 2009, 09:00 CDT

New Chief for USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service to Preside

FRESNO, Calif., May 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- California is hosting the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 25-member Agricultural Air Quality Task Force in Fresno on May 6-7, 2009 at the Radisson Hotel at 2233 Ventura Street. The meeting is open to the public.

"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."

Dave White, Chief of the NRCS and Chair of the Task Force will open the meeting followed by Burton who will give a brief overview of the Agency's air quality operations in California. Currently these 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 will 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 noted scientists and other experts in air quality involved with this committee offer USDA excellent guidance on agricultural air quality issues," said Burton. "Agriculture has a key role to play in putting the Nation on a winning track with respect to energy conservation and generation. We look forward to the input we receive from this broad-ranging group."

Producers, academics, industry representatives and other experts in agriculture and air quality comprise the Congressionally-established task force. USDA representation includes NRCS, which chairs the Task Force, Forest Service, Economic Research Service, Agricultural Research Service and Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service.

Additional information about the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force can be found at http://www.airquality.nrcs.usda.gov/AAQTF.

SOURCE USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service

Source: PR Newswire

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