Number 88 March 1998 ISSN 1062-9149
POLICY NOTES
Whole Farm Planning
Deanna L. Osmond
North Carolina State University, Department of Soil Science
Whole farm planning or resource management planning is a relatively new tool that enables farmers to more fully assess the potential impact of management decisions on their farm operation. It is a voluntary process that involves the setting of personal, environmental, economic, and production goals for farm planning. Potential changes in practices are then evaluated in terms of their potential impact on these goals. Follow-up evaluation provides active feedback that is used to "fine tune" the decisions that are made.
Resource management planning is evolving partially because of a growing negative reaction to "single purpose plans" that have traditionally been used to address individual economic or natural resource issues. In addition, whole farm planning is being used to reduce duplication and redundancy in programs. Essential goals for a whole farm planning process include:
- Improving farm profitability by finding solutions that save money, increase sales, or simplify/reduce the work;
- Reducing water pollution through application of appropriate best management practice (BMP) systems;
- Coordinating regulatory input and reducing redundancy so that implementation of the final plan will assure compliance with all applicable regulations impacting the farm operation; and
- Incorporating the farm family's personal goals for quality of life.
Public institutions and private organizations are currently involved in developing and using resource management plans. For example, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has recently finished their Resource Management Planning guide. This NRCS guide was cooperatively developed by national- and State-agency personnel, farmers, and representatives from commodity groups.
Many states are developing their own resource management planning protocols. Idaho One Plan, available on the World Wide Web, was developed to reduce diverse agency requirements and to produce a user-friendly product that allows farmers and ranchers to develop farm plans unique to their operations. Farmers in Ontario, Canada, in conjunction with Ontario Ministries, developed the Ontario Environmental Farm Plan. Every farm family in Ontario is encouraged to complete an Environmental Farm Plan, which is reviewed and certified by a committee comprised of local farmers. It is only after farmers have a certified farm plan that they are eligible for cost-share.
Some farmers have instituted their own voluntary whole farm planning process. Producers working in the Canandaigua Lake Watershed in New York State are promoting whole farm planning as a tool to be used to protect the water quality of the Lake, while preserving the economic viability of agriculture in the region.
A whole farm planning procedure is currently underway in North Carolina. Participants in the process include North Carolina State University, NRCS, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Farm Bureau Federation of North Carolina. Once a format for the program is determined, field-level agency personnel and farmers will pilot the materials.
Individuals interested in resource management planning should contact their Cooperative Extension Service, local NRCS office, land grant university, or appropriate State agency for environmental affairs to learn more about locally available materials.
Whole Farm Planning Web Sites:
- Idaho One Plan:
http://www.oneplan.state.id.us - CROPS: The Comprehensive Resource Planning System for Whole Farm Planning: http://www.isis.vt.edu/Research/CROPS/
- Whole Farm Planning in New York City Watersheds: http://www.epa.gov/docs/nep/coastlines/coastlines5.2/lead.html
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NCSU Water Quality Group Staff Changes
Steve Coffey
We would like to extend our farewell to Steven Coffey, who has worked as a Water Quality Extension Specialist with the NCSU Water Quality Group for the past 9 years. Steve has accepted a position with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, effective March 1998. He serves as the Tar Pamlico Basin Coordinator in the Division of Soil and Water Conservation, and is responsible for administering agricultural cost share programs in the Basin.
Steve has made significant contributions to the efforts of the Water Quality Group. He provided expertise to numerous watershed and nonpoint source projects in water quality modeling, hydrology, hydraulics, and data management. Steve provided technical evaluation of the Rural Clean Water Program, technical assistance to select 319 National Monitoring Program projects, and modeling for the Herrings Marsh Run USDA Water Quality Demonstration Project. In addition, Steve developed a pollutant transport modeling procedure for the lake and watershed management model, EUTROMOD, as well as authored numerous water quality publications. We wish Steve the very best in his new job.
Garry Grabow
We would like to welcome Dr. Garry Grabow to the NCSU Water Quality Group effective February 1998. His primary responsibility will be to assist nonpoint source watershed projects nationwide in their land treatment implementation and water quality monitoring and evaluation strategy.
Garry comes to us with ten years of consulting experience in water resources, including extensive work in East Africa. He received his Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering in 1993 from the University of Tennessee, and specializes in irrigation systems, geostatistics, hydrology and hydraulics. Welcome, Garry!
INFORMATION
Watershed Project Symposium Proceedings
EPA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducted a National Water Quality Watershed Project Symposium in Washington, DC, in September, 1997, which highlighted achievements in water quality through watershed projects.
The proceedings present accomplishments of local watershed projects funded under EPA's Section 319 (Clean Water Act) National Monitoring Program and USDA's Demonstration, Hydrologic Unit Area Programs, and Management Systems Evaluation Areas. The proceedings also feature lessons learned in the Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst programs.
Copies of the proceedings are available free from the EPA National Center for Environmental Publications (NCEPI) in Cincinnati at 513-489-8190 or 800-490-9198, Fax 513-489-8695. Please include the EPA document number (EPA/625/R-97/008) when ordering.
Section 319 Success Stories: Volume II
EPA would like to announce the publication of Section 319 Success Stories: Volume II, which highlights state and tribal nonpoint source programs. This document is the second volume of Section 319 Success Stories, the first of which was published in November 1994. That document illustrated the states' achievements in their initial efforts to implement their nonpoint source programs under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. Volume II demonstrates the maturation of the state programs, replete with many examples of improved fisheries, reduced loadings, and increased public awareness that are a result of the many projects that have received Section 319 funding.
Section 319 Success Stories: Volume II contains approximately two stories per state and one story per territory and tribe in the nonpoint source program. Each story contains an overview of a state, territory, or tribe's 319 project. Some of the stories are updates of stories contained in the first volume of Success Stories, but most are new stories about projects that have been implemented since publication of the first volume. Collectively, they represent only a portion of the Section 319 project successes.
If you have any questions or feedback on the document, please contact Amy Gambrill at 202-260-7105 or gambrill.amy@epamail.epa.gov. You will also be able to find Success Stories on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/owow/NPS. To order copies, please call NCEPI at 1-800-490-9198.
Agricultural Resources and Environmental Indicators
The new edition of Agricultural Resources and Environmental Indicators (AREI) provides data and analysis useful in research relating to resource and environmental issues. The report can also be an important reference and discussion provoking tool in teaching and extension activities on agricultural resource and environmental issues. AREI's unique niche is in covering the economic dimensions of the agriculture-environment connection. The report:
- examines trends in resource use and management;
- analyzes the economic factors affecting the adoption of resource-conserving production practices;
- contrasts the economic and environmental effects of traditional and resource-conserving technologies and production practices such as integrated pest management (IPM);
- explains the complex economic links between agricultural activity and environmental performance;
- analyzes expenditures for and impacts of more than 30 federal agricultural conservation programs including the Conservation Reserve Program;
- examines the costs and benefits to farmers, consumers, and taxpayers of improving the Nation's resources and ensuring sustainable development; and
- references agricultural resource surveys and other reports on related issues.
The report is available free on the ERS Home Page (http://www.econ.ag.gov) under Briefing Rooms, or at cost of printing and handling ($21) by calling 1-800-999-6779 and asking for the 1996-97 Agricultural Resources and Environmental Indicators (AH-712). If you have questions about the report, please contact Richard Magleby (USDA/ERS/NRED, 1301 New York Avenue NW, Room 532, Washington, DC 20005, 202-219-0436, rmagleby@econ.ag.gov). He would also appreciate hearing how you use the report and your suggestions on ways to improve the electronic and printed versions.
Constructed Wetlands for the Treatment of Stormwater (video)
On August 20, 1997, Cornell Cooperative Extension conducted a satellite teleconference titled "Constructed Wetlands for the Treatment of Stormwater."
The conference was downlinked by 23 states and reached an estimated audience of over 800 people nationwide. The purpose of the videoconference was to inform viewers on how to incorporate construction design features that simultaneously achieve optimum water quality protection as well as the multiple benefits of functioning wetlands.
The conference began with a taped segment showing several constructed wetlands case studies, and then featured presentations on the following topics:
- Understanding Natural Wetland Functions to Ensure Success of Constructed Wetlands
- Managing Vegetation and Hydrology to Ensure Success of Constructed Wetlands
- Wildlife Use of Constructed Wetlands
A panel discussion after the presentations addressed the audience's questions.
Copies of the conference 90-minute videotape (including case studies) are now available and can be ordered by accessing the following website: http://www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/web~1.htm/ or by contacting Ella Elman, 108 Fernow Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, Tel: 607-255-2814, Fax: 607-255-2815, or email: ee16@cornell.edu.
A conference information packet is also available in conjunction with the video or on a stand-alone basis. The packet contains many useful wetlands-related materials, including an extensive bibliography of wetlands publications as well as contacts and sources of information about all aspects of constructing and maintaining a wetland. A limited number of packets are available.
Prices for the video and packets are as follows: Cornell Cooperative Extension Offices: $23.50; other organizations: $33.50 (non-profit) and $35.50 (profit). If you would like to order the videotape alone, please take $5.00 off the above prices.
Farms & Urban Development (video)
The Urbanization of Agriculture, the Maryland Farm Bureau's award-winning video, is now available for use by community groups across the state. Produced in cooperation with the American Farm Bureau Federation and filmed primarily in Maryland, the video features farmers who have adapted to and, in some cases, are flourishing in the face of development pressures. Most of the strategies farmers used could be adapted to other parts of the country.
In December of 1996, the video won first place in its division at the National Agricultural Marketing Association awards presentation in Chicago. In February, it was honored by the Communicator Awards, a national awards organization that recognizes outstanding work in the communications field. For more information, please contact Amy Miller, Maryland Farm Bureau, 410-922-3426.
WWW RESOURCES
A more complete list of World Wide Web sites that relate to nonpoint source pollution and water quality issues can be found at: http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/bae/programs/extension/wqg/issues/resource.html
Enforceable State Mechanisms for the Control of Nonpoint Source Water Pollution
This new EPA document, prepared by the Environmental Law Institute, is a comprehensive study on state laws and regulations that can be used to address nonpoint source pollution. The report summarizes the wide range of water laws across the fifty states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Note that incentive-based, voluntary programs, which are usually the state's primary mode of addressing nonpoint source pollution, are not discussed in this report.
The report can be viewed at http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/NPS/elistudy/ and is also downloadable in PDF format.
Water Quality: A Report To Congress
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Working Group on Water Quality has produced Water Quality: A Report to Congress. This report describes some of the department's recent efforts and accomplishments in reducing agricultural nonpoint source pollution. The report is available at http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/wgwq/progress.html.
EPA's NRMRL Wet Weather Flow Home Page
The Edison, New Jersey component of EPA's National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL) is the Water Supply and Water Resources Division's Urban Watershed Management Branch (UWMB). The branch's function is to research, develop, and demonstrate technologies, systems, and methods required to manage the risk to public health, ecologically sensitive areas, and property from wet-weather flows and petroleum and chemical storage system sources.
The URL address for this site is http://www.epa.gov/ednnrmrl/. A full text search of information offered from EPA's Office of Research and Development's UWMB can be found at http://www.epa.gov/ednnrmrl/1search.htm. Questions may be directed to Richard Koustas by email at koustas.richard@epamail.epa.gov.
Clean Water Action Plan
The Clean Water Action Plan, developed as part of President Clinton's Clean Water Initiative and announced in his 1998 State of the Union Address, can now be viewed on the web at the following address: http://www.epa.gov/cleanwater/. The Plan has a strong emphasis on controlling polluted runoff and promoting a watershed approach to restoring and protecting the nation's water resources.
SPLASH!
The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) has developed an interactive
CD-ROM game on nonpoint source pollution. Desdemona the dragonfly teaches kids about water
quality and the environment in this full-color, audio, and animated interactive game.
SPLASH can be played on Mac, Windows 3.1, or Windows 95. For a preview, check out Desi at http://www.ctic.purdue.edu. While playing the
game, children can select an area in the watershed where they would like to go. They can
visit the farm, neighborhood, or city. For further information, call (765) 494-9555 or
email ctic@ctic.purdue.edu.
MEETINGS
Call for Papers
18th International Symposium of NALMS: Cooperative Lake & Watershed Mgt - Linking Communities, Industry & Government: Nov 10-13, Banff, Alberta, Canada. Abstract deadline: May 1, 1998. Alberta Lake Mgt Society, c/o Dept of Biological Science, Univ of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9, web site: http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/alms/1998.htm or http://www.nalms.org
Meeting Announcements -1998
MARCH
Workshop on the Pennsylvania Best Management Practices Handbook: Mar 16 in Kulpsville, PA; Mar 18 in Monroeville, PA; or Mar 19 in Harrisburg/Mechanicsburg, PA. PACD, 225 Pine St, Harrisburg, PA 17101, Tel: 717-236-1006, Fax: 717-236-6410
Wetlands Engineering & River Restoration Conference 1988: Mar 22-27, Denver, CO. American Society of Civil Engineers, Conference & Exposition Dept, 1801 Alexander Bell Dr, Reston, VA 20191-4400, Tel: 800-548-2723 (ASCE) or 703-295-6029, Fax: 703-295-6144, web site: http://www.asce.org
APRIL
EPA Region 6 Nonpoint Source Watershed Conference: April 6-9, Baton Rouge, LA. Jay Boydstun, Tel: 504-765-0546
2nd American Wetlands Month Conference - Team Wetlands: 101 Ways to Win the Game: April 15-17, Arlington, VA. Terrene Inst, 4 Herbert St, Arlington, VA 22305, Tel: 703-548-5473, Fax: 703-548-6299, email: terrinst@aol.com, web site: http://www.terrene.org
Challenge `98 - A Working Symposium for Reducing the Impacts of Urbanization on Southwestern Wetland and Riparian Resources, April 16-18, Albuquerque, NM. Doug Shaw, New Mexico Riparian Council, PO Box 40166, Albuquerque, NM 87196, Tel: 505-842-3256, email:jharden@nmia.com
Bridging the Gap Between Technology & Implementation of Surface Water Quantity & Quality Models in the Next Century, April 19-23, Las Vegas, NV. First Federal Interagency Hydrologic Modeling Conference. Don Frevert, Tel: 303-236-0123, or Don Woodward, Ph: 202-720-0772, web site: http://h2o.usgs.gov/public/wicp
MAY
Watershed `98 - Watershed Management - Moving from Theory to Implementation: May 3-6, Denver, CO. Technical Programs, Water Environment Federation, 601 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1994, Tel: 703-684-2400 or 1-800-666-0206, Fax: 703-684-2471, email: confinfo@wef.org, web site: http://www.wef.org
National Conf on Environmental Decision Making: May 3-6, Knoxville, TN. UT Conferences, Attn: NCEDR Conf, PO Box 2648, 600 Henley St, Ste 212, Knoxville, TN 37901-2648, Tel: 423-974-0280, Fax: 423-974-0290, email: Conferences@gateway.ce.utk.edu, web site: http://www.ncedr.org
2nd International Conference on Advances in Fluid Mechanics: May 13-15, Palazzo Kechler, Udine, Italy. Paula Doughty-Young, Conference Secretariat, AFM 98, Wessex Inst of Technology, Ashurst Lodge, Ashurst, Southampton, S040 7AA, UK, Tel: 44 (0) 1703-293223, Fax: 44 (0) 1703-292853, email: paula@wessex.ac.uk, web site: http://www.wessex.ac.uk
Extension Natural Resources Conference: May 17-20, Deerwood, MN. Elaine Andrews, UWEX Environmental Resources Center, 216 Agriculture Hall, Madison, WI 53706, Tel: 608-262-0142, Fax: 608-262-2031, email: eandrews@facstaff.wisc.edu, web site: http://www.uwex.edu/erc/ywc and http://www.uwex.edu/erc
Flood Mitigation Technology - Times Are Changing: May 17-22, Milwaukee, WI. Leslie A. Bond, Program Chair, 1998 Association of State Floodplain Managers Conference, P.O. Box 427, High Rolls, NM 88325, Tel: 505-682-1359, Fax: 505-682-1369, email: bond@wazoo.com
Specialty Conference on Rangeland Management & Water Resources: May 26-30, Reno, NV. AWRA, Attn: Rangeland Mgt & Water Resources Conference Committee, 950 Herndon Pkwy, Ste 300, Herndon, VA 20170-5531, Tel: 703-904-1225, Fax: 703-904-1228
JUNE
Balancing Resource Issues - Land, Water, People: June 5-9, San Diego, CA. Annual Conference of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, 7515 NE Ankeny Road, Ankeny, IA 50021-9764, Tel: 515-289-2331, Fax: 515-289-1227, email: swcs@swcs.org, web site: http://www.swcs.org
Water Resources and the Urban Environment: June 6-10, Chicago, IL. ASCE/Conferences Dept, 1801 Alexander Bell Dr, Reston, VA 20191-4400; Tel: 800-548-2723 (ASCE) or 703-295-6300, Fax: 703-295-6144, web site: www.asce.org
JULY
Soil & Water Conservation Society 53rd Annual Conference - Balancing Land, Resources, & People: July 5-9, San Diego, CA. SWCS, 7515 NE Ankeny Rd, Ankeny, IA 50021-9764, Tel: 515-289-2331x16, email: sueb@swcs.org, general questions to: Tel: 515-289-2331x12, email: charliep@swcs.org
3rd International Symposium on Tropical Hydrology & 5th Caribbean Islands Water Resources Congress: July 12-16, San Juan, Puerto Rico. AWRA, Attn: Tropical Hydrology & Caribbean Water Resources Symposium, 950 Herndon Pkwy, Ste 300, Herndon, VA 20170-5531, Tel: 703-904-1225, Fax: 703-904-1228
4th International Conference on Precision Agriculture: July 19-22, St. Paul, MN. Precision Ag Ctr, Attn: 1998 Precision Ag Conf, U of M, 439 Borlaug Hall, 1991 Upper Buford Cir, St. Paul, MN 55108-6028, Tel: 800-367-5363, Fax: 612-625-2207, email: tsvee@mes.umn.edu
Animal Production Systems & the Environment - An International Conference on Odor, Water Quality, Nutrient Management & Socioeconomic Issues: July 19-22, Des Moines, IA. Kay Snyder, Extended & Continuing Ed, Iowa State Univ, Ames, IA 50011-1112, Tel: 515-294-4202, email: kjsnyder@iastate.edu, web site: http://www.agconf.iastate.edu
AUGUST
1998 International Water Resources Engineering Conference: Aug 3-7, Memphis, TN. Amer Soc of Civil Eng, Conference & Expositions Dept, 1801 Alexander Bell Dr, Reston, VA 20191-4400, Tel: 800-548-2723x6009, Fax: 703-295-6144
Cross Currents in Water Policy - UCOWR `98: Aug 4-7, Hood River, OR. Dr. Tamim Younos, UCOWR `98 Technical Program Chair, Virginia Water Resources Research Ctr, 10 Sandy Hall, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0444, Tel: 540-231-8039, Fax: 540-231-6673, email: tyounos@vt.edu
International Conference on China Environment Technology and Business: Aug 10-12, Beijing, P.R. China. Dr. Y. Yang Gong, Conf Chair, 98 Beijing International Conf, Louis Berger International Inc, 30 Vreeland Rd, Florham Park, NJ 07932, Tel: 973-678-1960x420, Fax: 973-676-3564, email: Ygong@louisberger.com, web site: http://www.chinaenvironment.net
3rd International IAWQ Conference on Diffuse Pollution: Aug 31-Sept 4, Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms. Rosemary Plessis, IAWQ Conf Coordinator, Scottish Environ Protection Agency, Erskine Ct, The Castle Business Park, Stirling FK9 4TR, Scotland, UK, Tel: +44(0)1786-457700, Fax: +44(0)1786-448040, web site: http://www.sepa.org.uk/iawq/iawqconf.htm
SEPTEMBER
Connections `98 - 2nd National Conference on Transportation, Wetlands, and the Natural Environment: Sept 16-18, New Bern, NC. Pam Cloer, CTE, c/o ITRE, NCSU, Box 8601, Raleigh, NC 27695-8601, Tel: 919-515-7990, email: pcloer@unity.ncsu.edu, web site: http://itre.ncsu.edu/itre/cte
Sixth National Nonpoint Source Monitoring Workshop:
Interpreting Water Quality Responses to Land Treatment
September 21-24, 1998, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Purpose: To bring together nonpoint source pollution specialists to share information on effective monitoring techniques, statistical analysis of watershed data, and the overall effectiveness of BMPs on improving water quality. The progress of the Section 319 National Monitoring Program (NMP) projects will be highlighted, as will other innovative water quality projects and monitoring techniques.
Sessions will focus on the following topics:
- Sediment Delivery in Watersheds
- Bioassessment - Analysis and Interpretation
- Calculating Appropriate Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for Watersheds
- Proper Interpretation and Innovative Analysis of Water Quality Data
- Effectiveness of Nutrient and Pesticide Management on a Watershed Scale
The program will offer three days of indoor workshop sessions/talks and a day-long field trip. Concurrent trips will be offered: one to northeast Iowa (Clayton County) to visit the Sny Magill Creek and Big Spring projects, and a second trip to central Iowa to see the Walnut Creek National Wildlife Refuge in Jasper County and the Bear Creek project in Story County. (Walnut Creek and Sny Magill Creek are two of the U.S. EPA Section 319 NMP projects.)
For additional information, visit the Nonpoint Source Workshop Web Site at http://www.igsb.uiowa.edu/nmp98 or contact: Lynette Seigley or Carol Thompson, Nonpoint Source Workshop, 109 Trowbridge Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242-1319, Tel: 319-335-1575 or 319-335-1581, Fax: 319-335-2754, email: lseigley@igsb.uiowa.edu or cthompson@igsb.uiowa.edu
OCTOBER
WEFTEC `98 - 71st Annual Conf & Expo: Oct 3-7, Orlando, FL. Water Env Federation, Attn: WEFTEC `98 Program Coordinator, 601 Wythe St, Alexandria, VA 22314-1994, Tel: 800-666-0206, Fax: 703-684-2471, email: confinfo@wef.org, web site: http://www.wef.org
Agriculture & Water Quality in the Pacific Northwest - Understanding Each Other & Working Together for a Better Future: Oct 20-21, Yakima, WA. Agriculture & Water Quality Committee, PO Box 1462, Spokane, WA 99210, Tel: 509-838-6653, Fax: 509-838-6685, email: farwest@ior.com, web site: http://wwwdwatcm.wr.usgs.gov/ccpt/ag_wq_conf98/call4present98.htm
7th International Conference on Computers in Agriculture: Oct 26-30, Orlando, FL. ASAE Meetings & Confs, 2950 Niles Rd, St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659, Tel: 616-429-0300, Fax: 616-429-3852, email: hq@asae.org, web site: http://www.agen.ufl.edu/~compconf/
NOVEMBER
ENVIROSOFT `98 - Development & Application of Computer Techniques to Environmental Studies: Nov 10-12, Las Vegas, NV. Sue Owen, Conference Secretariat, ENVIROSOFT `98, Wessex Institute of Technology, Ashurst Lodge, Ashurst, Southampton, S0407AA, UK, Tel: 44(0)170-329-3223, Fax: 44(0)170-329-2853, email: sue@wessex.ac.uk
1998 Annual Conference on Water Resources & Symposia on Management of Human Impacts on the Coastal Environment and Applications of Water Use Information: Nov 15-19, Point Clear, AL. AWRA, Attn: 1998 Annual Conference & Symposia, 950 Herndon Pkwy, Ste 300, Herndon, VA 20170-5531, Tel: 703-904-1225, Fax: 703-904-1228
EDITOR'S NOTE
In the last issue of NWQEP NOTES, we highlighted the New York City (NYC) Watershed Section 319 Project. One of its goals is to evaluate Whole Farm Planning (WFP) as a tool to protect NYC water supplies from farm-related nonpoint source pollution, while maintaining a viable agricultural community in the watershed. In this issue of NWQEP NOTES, our feature article describes the concept of WFP and identifies some WFP programs already developed in some states. While the idea is spreading, it has not always been warmly received by farmers, mostly due to privacy issues. However, their buy-in to the program is critical to its success. Once states have overcome the hurdle of developing WFP programs, an even bigger challenge lies ahead in marketing and implementation. Like any new concept, it will take time for WFP's value to be understood. We welcome your thoughts and experiences on this issue.
As always, please feel free to contact us regarding your ideas, suggestions, and possible contributions to this newsletter.
Laura Lombardo / Janet Young
Co-Editors, NWQEP NOTES
NCSU Water Quality Group
Campus Box 7637, NCSU
Raleigh, NC 27695-7637
Tel: 9195153723, Fax: 9195157448
email: notes_editor@ncsu.edu