Contacts:
Anita Brown (530) 792-5644
Michele Laur (202) 222-5705

Media Note: Chief Dave White, newly appointed head of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, will be available for interviews Wednesday, May 6, 2009, by prior arrangement. This is his first visit to California as Chief of the NRCS, a 12,000-employee, agency with an annual budget of $3 billion overseeing natural resource conservation on private lands. Contact Anita Brown at 530-792-5644 or e-mail anita.brown@ca.usda.gov.

FRESNO, Calif., April 30, 2009—California is hosting the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 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 (NRCS) 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 www.airquality.nrcs.usda.gov/AAQTF.

-NRCS-

 The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people
conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment.

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

< Back to News Releases