The Great Lakes water usage controversy will continue to be an issue for Michigan farmers as they enter the 2003 growing season.
With the Michigan Agriculture Conference on the Environment looming on March 24 at the Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave., the Michigan Agriculture Environment Assurance Program is bringing Michigan farmers together to discuss a multitude of environmental concerns.
The 2002 Farm Bill, which gives state money to ensure farmers can implement environmentally sound practices, will be a focus of this year's conference. Water conservation and pesticide use will also be addressed by farmers this year.
Michigan Farm Bureau agriculture ecology specialist Megan Wheaton said the conference allows farmers to discuss changes in environmental protection. Farm Bureau is one of 17 organizations making up the program to work with Michigan farmers at the conference.
"There is a lot of changes going on in farming," she said. "It's very important for farmers and citizens to be aware of the environment. We're really keyed to help farmers deal with conservation and conservation planning."
Michigan is one of the states leading the charge in agricultural conservation, especially in the area of water usage and the Great Lakes, Wheaton added.
"There has been a big influx of money that has been associated with conservation efforts," she said.
Michigan Department of Agriculture spokesperson Sara Linsmeier-Wurful said the program will have conservation planners, engineers, land improvement contractors and others to provide farmers with technical assistance.
Associate professor of agricultural engineering Howard Person said he will be attending the conference in the interest of the environmental impact of livestock facilities.
"(The conference) helps people get started with comprehensive nutrient programs and teaches how to effectively protect the groundwater near livestock facilities," he said. "MSU has been involved in these issues for quite some time and been working with farmers for quite a while."
He said the Farm Bill will help farmers this year by "providing dollars for farmers to hire consultants to provide input and expertise planning."
The benefit of this bill, he said, is that it defrays cost to the public for clean-up and further funds environmental protection guidelines farmers must follow.
"We're excited to put this on to show the important role agriculture plays on the environment," she said.
