News Update
April 18, 2011

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, American Wind Energy Association, Wind
Developers Sign Agreement to Promote Endangered Species Conservation

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and wind energy industry companies, along with the American Wind Energy Association, have signed a memorandum of understanding pledging to work together to develop a wind energy habitat conservation plan for the Service’s Midwest Region. Such a plan would outline measures to conserve threatened and endangered species that may be affected by wind energy facilities in eight Midwestern states.

A multispecies, regional HCP approved by the Service would include measures for long-term conservation of federally endangered Indiana bats and members of other protected species that may be incidentally harmed or killed by wind turbines or other activities associated with construction and operation of wind energy facilities. The plan would apply to the activities of cooperating companies in Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

“I believe this positive step will help the Service proceed on a scientifically sound basis to pursue the conservation of endangered species and facilitate the development of a renewable energy source at the same time,” said Tom Melius, the Service’s Midwest Regional Director. “It is the industry’s expectation that development of the regional HCP will streamline the permitting process, allowing effective conservation of wildlife and easing the Service’s administrative burden, while also allowing for more wind energy to be deployed nationally. This is a shining example of how industry, the Service, states and other stakeholders can work collaboratively to develop an overall conservation strategy that is in the best interest of the affected species,” said John Anderson, AWEA’s Director of Siting Policy.

Under the HCP, wind developers will acquire an Incidental Take Permit, which will exempt otherwise lawful activities (i.e., construction and operation of a wind energy facility) from the prohibition of take under the Endangered Species Act. Take, under the ESA, means harming, harassing, or killing endangered or threatened species.

“This is a good opportunity for Indiana and other states to be part of the solution when it comes to making wind energy development work effectively and efficiently for all involved  —natural resources, the economy and energy users,” said Indiana Department of Natural Resources Director Robert Carter Jr.

The Service has awarded states in the Service’s Midwest Region an Endangered Species Act grant of $3,362,364 to develop a broadly constructed HCP designed to address the potential impacts of wind energy.

The wind industry’s commitment to provide the required 10% matching funding will help facilitate development of the plan. The Conservation Fund, an environmental nonprofit, will lead the strategic conservation work accompanying the HCP.

In the coming months, the wind industry applicants will begin the selection process for the ESA technical contractor and work with the Service and states to develop the HCP.

— Release by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

CSU Announces New Minor in Global Environmental Sustainability

As one of the nation’s leading universities in environmental research and education, Colorado State University (CSU) School of Global Environmental Sustainability, or SoGES, has created the university’s first interdisciplinary minor in Global Environmental Sustainability.

The Global Environmental Sustainability Interdisciplinary minor will give students from across campus the opportunity to obtain a diverse background in environmental sustainability, including the physical, biological, economic and social pillars of sustainability.

Today, many different industries are working to incorporate sustainable practices into their respective fields. Recognizing this increasing trend, the Global Environmental Sustainability minor provides students with a foundation in sustainability to best prepare students for the workforce.

“There has been a high demand from our students for a program like this,” said Diana Wall, director of SoGES. “Enrollment in our GES-101, Foundations of Global Environmental Sustainability course, has been very high, with enrollment exceeding the course cap.”

In addition to high demand from students, the new minor was created to provide a foundation in global environmental sustainability that students can use in the workforce.

“Environmental sustainability is becoming an increasingly important focus for many industries, as it has with Woodward’s energy-focused business segments,” said Tom Gendron, chairman and CEO of Woodward Inc., a Fort Collins-based manufacturer of energy control technologies. “An understanding of sustainability is becoming a valuable skill set for graduates entering the workforce as industries seek to improve the design and manufacture of their products in ways that enhance the global quality of life.”

Curriculum for the new minor includes the completion of 21 credit hours. SoGES has created two new courses, GES-101 — Foundations of Environmental Sustainability and GES-470 — Applications of Environmental Sustainability, which are required for the minor. The remaining credits of the minor are completed through curriculum categorized in four areas that were identified as pillars of sustainability education. Students choose from a variety of interdisciplinary courses in Society and Social Processes; Biological and Physical Processes; Economy and Profitability; and Skills courses, which help students apply what they have learned in their GES experience to real-world problems.

“One of the greatest things about this minor is that it can supplement any degree offered at CSU,” Wall said. “Students from all majors can tailor the program to mean something to their major. This minor is really unique because it offers courses that are represented from each of the university’s colleges.”

For more information on the education programs and courses offered by the School of Global Environmental Sustainability, visit http://soges.colostate.edu or contact Patrick Canavan at patrick.canavan@colostate.edu or by calling 970-492-4070.

— Release by Colorado State University.

Annual Update for USDA National Farmer’s Market Directory Begins

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is opening the updating process for the USDA National Farmer’s Market Directory, the official count of the nation’s farmer’s markets. For the first time this year, the directory will also track farmer’s markets with multiple locations and operating days.

“The USDA National Farmer’s Market Directory not only counts, lists and maps the country’s more than 6,100 farmer’s markets, it is also a fantastic resource for those interested in local food production, small producer success, and public policy about regional food systems,” said Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack. “In addition to helping people find the closest farmer’s market, the farmer’s markets listed in this directory are included in maps, mobile apps and other stats. We hope that all managers ensure their markets are included so that no farmer’s market misses out on this opportunity.”

All of the information in the directory relies on input from farmer’s market managers in the field. USDA urges all market managers to update their listings in time for the summer farmer’s market season. Farmer’s market managers can update their market listings at www.usdadirectoryupdate.com.

The National Farmer’s Market Directory will be periodically updated through the summer as farmer’s market managers continue to submit their listings to USDA’s database. Farmer’s market managers who are able to update their listing by May 1 will be able to find their markets on the directory by mid-July. The complete directory will be released in time for National Farmer’s Market Week, August 7-13.

Since 1994, USDA has counted the number of operational U.S. farmer’s markets. During that time, the number of farmer’s markets listed in the USDA National Farmer’s Market Directory has increased from 1,755 to 6,132. The directory captures information about where and when farmer’s markets operate, if they participate in federal nutrition benefit programs, and detailed information about their seasonality and location.

In the first quarter of 2011, the USDA National Farmer’s Market Directory had more than 65,000 Web page views. The directory has been featured as part of the CNN/Foursquare “Healthy Eating Badge” campaign, and on www.data.gov as part of the federal government’s commitment to open government. Data from the directory is also being used by www.RealTimeFarms.com and other organizations mapping and analyzing the farmer’s market sector.

— Release by USDA.

Bankhead Headed to DC for USDA Internship

Since 2006 the USDA’s AMS Livestock and Seed Program and the American National Cattlewomen Inc. (ANCW) have partnered to offer an annual summer internship in Washington, D.C., for a student who has participated in the beef checkoff-funded National Beef Ambassador Program (NBAP). Malorie Bankhead, of Livermore, Calif., is this year’s recipient. She was selected based on written essays, personal references and her outstanding achievements promoting the beef industry.

Bankhead is currently a sophomore at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where she’s majoring in agricultural science/communications.

“Participating in the National Beef Ambassador Program has opened up many doors for me, not only as a college student, but for my future career as well. I’m honored to have received this USDA internship and look forward to working on AMS Livestock and Seed Programs. Spending my summer in D.C. will be very beneficial to my future in the agriculture industry.”

The NBAP, which began in 1988, selects a team of five young people, ages 17 to 20, to train as future spokespersons and leaders in the beef industry.

“The NBAP provides a unique opportunity for youth who are passionate about the beef industry to work with and learn from the best of the best of the beef world. The USDA internship is a shining example of the tremendous educational experiences available, and with programs like this, I’m certain the impacts the National Beef Ambassadors will make in the next generation of ranching and farming will be profound,” says NBAP Program Manager Sarah Bohnenkamp. 

Visit www.nationalbeefambassador.org or www.ancw.org for more information.  

— Release by ANCW.

Invasive Species Conference Set for May

Kentucky and the country are in a war against invading marauders. Every year, invasive plants cause $137 billion worth of economic loss in the United States. Anyone who has seen the kudzu invasion on roadsides and in the woods of Eastern and Southern Kentucky can understand the nature of the battle.

To help arm people against invasives, the 2nd Kentucky Invasive Species Conference and the 13th Annual Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Conference will host a joint meeting May 3-5 at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Lexington, Ky. The University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture’s Invasive Species Working Group and Department of Forestry; the UK Tracy Farmer Institute for Sustainability and the Environment; the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission; the Kentucky Division of Forestry; the Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Council; and the U.S. Forest Service are sponsoring the event.

The meeting will cover research, management, outreach, education and policy topics for the central and eastern regions of the country. Farmers as well as landowners with forestland, tree farms, wildlife habitat, lake or river frontage will find the meeting helpful in maintaining healthy land.

In addition to two days of breakout sessions, there are four field trip options for the final day of the conference.

• Raven Run Nature Sanctuary — The program will examine several invasive removal sites, focusing particularly on bush honeysuckle, and demonstrations of removal methods. Participants should be prepared for two mile-long hikes over moderate terrain.
• Natural Bridge State Park — The Park has been working on its invasive species problems for more than a decade. This trip will examine their successes and failures. This tour will include a moderately strenuous hike to the top of Natural Bridge, a 1.5-mile trip.
• UK Maine Chance Research Farm and the Kentucky Horse Park — This tour will visit water quality protection and restoration sites in the Cane Run watershed. The field trip leader will discuss projects on the bus and participants will be able to leave the bus to look at the sites being discussed. There will no extensive hiking on this trip.
• Regional Early Detection and Rapid Response Train-the-Trainer workshop with Randy Westbrooks of the U.S. Geological Survey — The purpose of the workshop is to assist participants in drafting state EDRR work plans for further consideration by Exotic Pest Plant Council members and partners in each state.

The conference has been approved for pesticide applicator continuing education credits, dependent on the conference date attended: Tuesday, May 3-4, four general and one specific hour in categories 1A, 2, 10 and 12; Wednesday, May 4, four general and two specific hours in categories 1A, 2, 10 and 12; and Thursday, May 5, two general hours in categories 1A, 2, 10 and 12. The conference has also been approved for 12.5 credit hours of Continuing Forestry Education.

The last day to register for the conference is April 25. Register online at www.ca.uky.edu/invasives/Registration/index.html. For additional conference information, contact Laura Lhotka, 859-257-8718 or laura.lhotka@uky.edu.

— Release written by Carol Spence for the University of Kentucky.

NDSA Employees Recognized for Communication Work

Two North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) employees, Julie Ellingson of Saint Anthony, and Sheyna Strommen of Fort Rice, were recognized for their communications work during the North Dakota Professional Communicators (NDPC) annual meeting April 7-8, in Grand Forks, N.D.

Ellingson, who serves as the NDSA’s executive vice president, received the Communicator of Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed by NDPC. The award recognizes professional achievement, community involvement and service to the organization.

A fourth-generation rancher and Bismarck State College and North Dakota State University graduate, Ellingson served as NDSA communications director from 1995 to 2008. She was named the organization’s executive vice president in 2009 and serves as the organization’s CFO and lead lobbyist for the state’s cattle producers.

Ellingson will represent North Dakota as its Communicator of Achievement nominee at the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) conference in September in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

During the NDPC conference, Strommen, NDSA communications director, won first place for the North Dakota Stockman in the category for publications regularly edited by the entrant. Strommen also won first place in the specialty articles, agriculture/agribusiness category, for her continuing coverage of North Dakota’s outreach to help build the beef industry in Kazakhstan.

These first-place entries will move on to compete in the NFPW communications contest in early September. Strommen also took home third-place honors for specialty articles-technology, for her coverage of grassroots advocacy via the Internet, as well as an honorable mention for personality profiles, for her story about World War II veteran Harry Hakanson of McLeod, N.D.

— Release by NDSA.

— Compiled by Shauna Rose Hermel and Linda Robbins, Angus Productions Inc.