L E A P2 News Release Jan03

							FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      February 4, 2003
Contact: David White
         (614) 246-8288
         dwhite@ofbf.org


OHIO’S LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY CREATES NEW EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM TO HELP
 FARMERS DEVELOP MANAGEMENT PLANS TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT


Almost five years ago, the Ohio Livestock Coalition (OLC) launched the first level of the Livestock
Environmental Assurance Program (LEAP) to help livestock, dairy and poultry producers take a pro-
active approach in blending sound production economics with concern about environmental quality. To
date, more than 4,000 producers have participated in LEAP Level 1, an educational environmental
awareness program.

As LEAP begins its fifth year, the OLC – along with various program partners – has prepared a second
level that is designed to help producers obtain and organize the data and information, as well as identify
appropriate best management practices (BMPs), necessary to develop, adopt and implement a
Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP).

Such a plan includes how farmers will manage and address issues related to manure and wastewater
handling and storage, feed management, land application practices, nutrient management, record keeping
and other utilization options, while the plan’s BMPs address and minimize the impact and effect of dust,
noise, odors and pests on the respective farm’s neighbors and community.

“By having a plan and explicitly following it, livestock farmers can better protect the environment and
natural resources while at the same time improving profitability and production efficiency,” said OLC
executive director David White. “It’s the right thing to do.”

Just like its predecessor, the LEAP 2 program’s curriculum and educational materials are designed for all
sizes of beef and dairy cattle, sheep, swine and poultry farms, as well as being confidential, free and
voluntary.

The curriculum includes educational sessions that focus on an introduction to planning, goal setting,
developing an on-farm inventory, building positive neighbor relations, developing an emergency
management action plan, rules and regulations, biosecurity fundamentals, obtaining and analyzing manure
and soil test results, whole farm planning and conservation options. Additionally, funds are available to
help livestock, dairy and poultry farmers who participate in LEAP 2 to obtain soil fertility tests and
manure nutrient analyses, which are two very important and necessary pieces of information for initiating
a CNMP.

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To deliver the program at the local level, the OLC has trained more than 160 professionals who work with
livestock, dairy, and poultry farmers. An overwhelming majority of these professionals are affiliated with
LEAP’s program partners – the Ohio State University (OSU) Extension, United States Department of
Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Ohio Federation of Soil &
Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), ODNR-DSWC and various commodity and farm organizations.

In addition to helping protect the environment and natural resources, White said that LEAP 2 may
personally benefit livestock, dairy and poultry farmers in the following ways:

           If a producer is working with a third-party vendor in developing a CNMP, participation in the
            program could save them money they would be paying the consultant to obtain information
            and identify best management practices (BMPs) that should be included in a CNMP.

           It will help speed-up preparation time in developing a CNMP in conjunction with a
            consultant, the SWCD or USDA-NRCS office.

           It will help reduce potential liabilities associated with storing, transporting and applying
            animal manure.

           Enhance the livestock industry’s, as well as the producer’s, public image and reputation.

           It will provide assistance towards developing a biosecurity plan that will further enhance
            animal health, safety and welfare.

Participation in a local LEAP Level 1 or 2 training session is required of farmers who wish to become
eligible recipients for agricultural pollution abatement grants available through the local SWCD. Farmers
considering applying for Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) grants through the
USDA/NRCS should also participate in a LEAP training session as by doing so they will earn points
towards qualifying for an EQIP grant.

Current funding for LEAP is provided in part from a grant through the Ohio Department of Natural
Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Soil and Water Conservation (DSWC). It was originally funded in part
by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Non-point Source
Management Program pursuant to Section 319h of the Federal Clean Water Act as amended in 1987.

For additional information about LEAP, farmers should contact their local OSU Extension, SWCD or
USDA-NRCS office, or the OLC at (614) 246-8288 or dwhite@ofbf.org.

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