Bendfeldt

The Waste Solutions Forum: An Innovative and Cooperative Approach to Support the Agricultural Community and Protect Water Quality: 

The Waste Solutions Forum: An Innovative and Cooperative Approach to Support the Agricultural Community and Protect Water Quality Eric S. Bendfeldt, Katharine Knowlton, Kathy Holm, and Jactone Arogo Ogejo NACDEP April 16 -19, 2007 Philadelphia, PA

Outline: 

Outline Context of agricultural community and water quality issues. Identified need for cooperative approach. Goals, strategies, and priorities of Waste Solutions Forum Approaches to reduce nutrients Accomplishments Conclusion

Nutrient concentration: 

Nutrient concentration

Extent of Nutrient Concentration: 

Extent of Nutrient Concentration Source: Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 2004

Form and Source of Agricultural Nutrients in the Chesapeake Bay: 

Form and Source of Agricultural Nutrients in the Chesapeake Bay Source: Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 2004.

Agricultural Community and Context: 

Agricultural Community and Context Dairy farming generates $300 million in farm receipts statewide. The Shenandoah Valley accounts for 40% of Virginia’s 795 dairy farms. Approximately, 30% of the dairy farms are located in Rockingham County. Poultry and eggs are Virginia’s top agricultural sector, directly supporting about 1,200 families, 915 of which are in the Valley.

Agricultural Community and Context: 

Agricultural Community and Context Of particular interest in this approach is providing appropriate solutions technologies to farmers within the Valley’s Old Order Mennonite community. There are 300 to 400 families that rely on dairy and poultry as their primary farming operation. Many farms are both dairy and poultry operations.

Shenandoah Valley Poultry Complex: 

Shenandoah Valley Poultry Complex

2005 Poultry Litter Transport Summary: 

2005 Poultry Litter Transport Summary Over 255,000 tons of poultry litter was transferred off of poultry farms. 81% of these transfers occurred within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Approximately 3% was transferred out of the watershed. 70% of the poultry litter remained within the Shenandoah Valley. The destination of 16% of the transfers were unknown.

Need for Cooperative Approach: 

Need for Cooperative Approach

Key Points about the Waste Solutions Forum: 

Key Points about the Waste Solutions Forum Identifying and implementing sustainable and cost-effective solutions for nutrient management serves as a focal point for building long-term collaboration with traditional and non-traditional partners to boldly address the nutrient challenge associated with animal agriculture and implement environmental solutions in the Shenandoah Valley. The contamination of water resources and threat to the economic viability of farming communities make action and collaboration imperative.

Goals of the Waste Solutions Forum: 

Goals of the Waste Solutions Forum Explore and implement innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective nutrient solutions that meet the needs of agriculture and the environment. Convene an array of public and private stakeholders. Identify and prioritize actions for research, pilot projects, policy initiatives, and education. Goals of the Waste Solutions Forum Explore and implement innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective nutrient solutions that meet the needs of agriculture and the environment. Convene an array of public and private stakeholders. Identify and prioritize actions for research, pilot projects, policy initiatives, and education. Goals of the Waste Solutions Forum Explore and implement innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective nutrient solutions that meet the needs of agriculture and the environment. Convene an array of public and private stakeholders. Identify and prioritize actions for research, pilot projects, policy initiatives, and education.

Partners in the Waste Solutions Forum : 

Partners in the Waste Solutions Forum VA State Dairymen’s Association, Poultry Federation, Farm Bureau VT College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Extension Service VA Dept of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) VA Dept of Environmental Quality (DEQ) VA Department of Health (VDH) VA Dept of Mines, Minerals & Energy (DMME) VA Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) Environmental Defense Fund Shenandoah Resource Conservation & Development Council (RC & D) Pure Water Forum

Step #1: Planning and Organization: 

Step #1: Planning and Organization Planning committee formed July 2004 Developed detailed briefing packet of peer-reviewed info re: waste management in Shenandoah Valley Organized 2-day Forum at the Hotel Roanoke

Forum Participants: 

Forum Participants ~ 80 stakeholders Environmental Organizations Farmers/farming organizations Industry Researchers Politicians Virginia state agencies Federal agencies Local governments Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Planning District Commissions, Sanitation Districts Miscellaneous, including funders

Step #2: Forum: 

Step #2: Forum Hotel Roanoke, April 28 and 29, 2005 Professionally facilitated Plan concentrated on four key areas: Pilot Projects Research Education Policy & Regulation

Strategy format: 

Strategy format Goal: Develop regional waste coop in Shenandoah Valley within one year for both dairy & poultry

Step #3: Organize for Action : 

Step #3: Organize for Action First follow up meeting May 17 to Consolidate and select highest priority Waste Solution ideas for future group action Re-organize Planning Committee Final plan in June Choose a few key items to accomplish Form necessary subcommittees One-year follow-up to review progress Steering committee has met quarterly since the Forum was first convened

Approaches to Reduce Nutrients: 

Approaches to Reduce Nutrients Precision feeding of phosphorus (P) Transportable pyrolysis unit to convert poultry litter to bio-oil, fertilizer, and renewable gas. Struvite precipitation technology to recover P and decrease cost of transporting dairy manure. Alter state procurement to require state to use manure-based compost for fertilizer On-the-ground “Market Maker.” Cooperative model for bio-energy production and nutrient management.

Value-Added Products from Poultry Litter: 

Value-Added Products from Poultry Litter

Nutrient Removal Reactor for Dairies: 

Nutrient Removal Reactor for Dairies The project will concentrate 40% of the P (~24 pounds of P per cow per year) from dairy manure.

Policy Priorities: 

Policy Priorities Develop a reliable $$ stream for conservation programs and innovation grants Executive Order: require manure products to be used on state/federal lands Regulations/policies and incentive and flexibility tied to performance Review regulations that inhibit implementation of alternative uses

Accomplishments: 

Accomplishments Virginia Tech and the WSF began precision feeding pilot with $800,000 NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant. Awarded $1 million from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to pilot innovative and cooperative approaches to reduce excess nutrients in the Valley. Formed the Valley Organic Resources Cooperative effort to reduce nutrients, produce energy, and promote other value-added benefits from manure and poultry litter. Drafted proposal for innovative manure and litter management program for 2007 Farm Bill. Funded a bio-energy fact finding trip by academics, industry representatives, and Valley farmers to Europe. On-going education of producers and decision makers of new approaches and on-the-ground nutrient reduction and renewable energy technologies.

Conclusion: 

Conclusion The Forum continues as a voluntary coalition and effort to support the agricultural community and protect water quality. Dedication of participants and organizations has allowed the Forum to make significant progress toward priority actions. On-going innovative and cooperative approaches will be critical to water quality improvement and farm viability.