Supports the registration
of essential pesticides used to combat pests unique to Alabama on all major
crops.
Abstract: The next eight issues of ACTion will highlight some of the specific issues and programs of the CRD unit and its personnel. The next two issues will focus on Pollution Control. CRD personnel presently involved in pollution control are Jesse LaPrade, Barbara Mobley, Laura Booth, and Susan Roberts.
Keywords: pollution control, pesticide impact assessment, water quality
The next eight issues of ACTion will highlight some of the specific issues and programs of the CRD unit and its personnel. The next two issues will focus on Pollution Control. CRD personnel presently involved in pollution control are Jesse LaPrade, Barbara Mobley, Laura Booth, and Susan Roberts.
This issue on Pollution Control is concerned with pesticide management and water quality. The first article highlights Extension's efforts to improve water quality. The second article outlines Extension's Pesticide Impact Assessment Program. For more information on these topics or suggestions for additional topics, contact me at (334) 844-3517, FAX (334) 844-9022, or e-mail: jchesnut@acesag.auburn.edu.
J. Thomas Chesnutt
Extension Tourism Specialist
Guest Editor
The major threat to Alabama's water quality is from nonpoint source pollution (NPS). Nonpoint source pollution comes from widespread areas—it cannot always be traced to a particular spot or source. In fact, several different sources can contribute to pollution of a particular waterway. An example of NPS pollution is runoff of sediment. When exposed to storm water, potential pollutants in sediment, including animal wastes, pesticides, toxic wastes in landfills, disturbed soil from construction sites, etc., can be transported over the land to surface water supplies or can be leached into groundwater. Since everyone contributes to NPS pollution, everyone must be considered part of the solution. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is in a unique position to use education as the most effective tool for correcting and preventing NPS pollution.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System's Pollution Prevention Program is led by R. Warren McCord, Administrative Water Quality Coordinator, James Hairston, Technical Water Quality Coordinator, Jesse LaPrade, Project Director for several Extension water quality projects, and Laura Booth, an Extension Associate in Water Quality and Environmental Education.
State Extension systems have received federal support of their water quality programs since the National Water Quality Initiative was established in 1989. Several water quality projects in the Alabama Cooperative Extension System are currently funded by federal or state dollars. These projects generally target specific geographic areas. The USDA/CSREES has funded two of these projects under the Hydrologic Unit Area (HUA) program, which uses Smith-Lever Section 3(d) funds. With USEPA Clean Water Act Section 319 funds, ADEM has supported several projects in the state. These programs are outlined below.
Sand Mountain-Lake Guntersville HUA Project. This project was supported by Smith-Lever Section 3(d) funds and included Jackson, Marshall, DeKalb, and Etowah counties. Begun in 1990 and ended in fiscal year (FY) 1998, the project promoted environmentally and economically sound agricultural practices. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provided technical assistance, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) gave financial assistance, and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System offered educational training. The major water quality problems at the inception of this project were high nutrient concentrations, bacterial pollution, and excessive sediment, all of which were affecting Lake Guntersville and neighboring streams. The success of this project has led to an increased public recognition of pollution problems and has resulted in a 40 percent reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus from fields into surface and groundwater.
Ryan-Crooked-Rock Creeks HUA Project. This project in Winston and Cullman counties began in 1991 and is scheduled to end in September 1999. Because it is still ongoing, the full success has not yet been determined. It is, however, clear that public awareness of local citizens concerning pollution prevention and economic viability has improved. Greg Hodges in Cullman County and Mike Henshaw in Winston County are responsible for the successes in this project.
Flint Creek Watershed Project. USEPA Clean Water Section 319 funds support the Flint Creek Watershed Project in Lawrence, Morgan, and Cullman counties. The Self Environmental Assistance program was developed for this project, which began in 1993 and is scheduled to end in September 1999. The three brochures developed for the SEA program (Agricultural Producer, Home Environment, and Small Business Self Environmental Assistance) focus on pollution prevention and environmental stewardship education. More than 20,000 of these publications have been distributed thus far.
Youth Education Program. ADEM also funded this already completed program. Originally targeted for the Flint Creek Watershed, it was expanded to include statewide curriculums directed toward youths in grades 4-12. The curriculum, Alabama Water Quality Curriculum for Grades 4-12 (Extension publication YANR-195), was sent to each county in 1998 for use by 4-H agents. It focuses on NPS pollution and it provides accurate scientific information, written at the child's level, with activities to enhance learning. This curriculum is Alabama specific.
Wellhead Protection Program. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System also receives grant funds from ADEM for this program. Counties served by this project, which began in 1997 and is scheduled to end in September 1999, are Limestone, Colbert Lauderdale, Madison, and Lawrence. The project educates the business owners, farmers, and residents about activities that pose a threat to groundwater and drinking water. Approximately 44 percent of Alabamians use groundwater supplies for drinking water. Groundwater is the major source of drinking water in rural areas throughout the state. In Alabama, bacteria are the most common contaminants that cause health problems in private well water and bacteria from septic tank failure is the single most frequent source of contamination to drinking water wells. In this project, county agents distribute the Self Environmental Assistance materials ( Extension publications ANR 801, 802, and 803) for educational materials in both urban and rural areas in the targeted counties. In addition, the Water Quality and Pollution Control Handbook (Extension publication ANR 790) and the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook are supplementary resource materials.
Future Directions for Extension Water Quality Education
All of the programs listed above have been developed using federal grant funds that have increased from $45,000 in 1990 to more than $300,000 in 1999 as a result of project successes. We are continuing to seek federal grant funds to continue our efforts. Current applications for funding include a proposal to expand the Self Environmental Assistance materials, a proposal to help Extension partner with Alabama Water Watch (a citizen volunteer water quality monitoring program), a proposal to enable Extension to become an educational leader in the use of geospatial technology (a method of precisely mapping potential point and nonpoint source pollution areas), and a proposal to expand our youth water quality education curriculum.
For more information on how you can become involved in pollution prevention to preserve Alabama's water quality, please contact your county Extension agent. The most effective way for citizens to become involved in environmental stewardship is for them to become involved on local water quality issues. Perhaps Alabama Water Watch's motto, a quote by Margaret Mead, says it best: "Never doubt that a group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Laura B. Booth
Extension Associate in Water Quality and Environmental Education
The Pesticide Impact Assessment Program in Alabama serves Extension commodity educators, researchers, and the agricultural industry. Current pesticide usage data combined with economic data and environmental impact data provides educators with information to enhance their educational programs and researchers with opportunities to determine pest control alternatives that show an economic advantage while minimizing environmental impact. Delineated pesticide usage and use patterns demonstrate agricultural product market value and needs of Alabama producers as well as pesticide impact on the agriculture industry.
The final goal of the program is to provide the Alabama food consumer with a wholesome, nutritious food supply at an economical price while causing minimal risk of pesticide contamination to the Alabama environment.
Target Audience
The Pesticide Impact Assessment Program is a statewide program designed for agricultural clientele, pesticide dealers, commodity producers, Alabama Cooperative Extension System specialists, and university researchers.
Outputs—Activities, Methods, and Materials
This project carries approximately 27 percent research responsibility. Research is performed to determine pesticide usage by crop for major crops in Alabama. All data have been acquired and tabulated with final reports written on pecans, peaches, peanuts, soybeans, and cotton. Pesticide impact assessment, usage, and use pattern data for these crops have been provided to appropriate Alabama Cooperative Extension System commodity specialists, university researchers, and agriculture industry representatives. The data is summarized and made available annually to all pesticide dealer representatives at five sites around the state (Cullman, Belle Mina, Fairhope, Headland, and Montgomery). Data is available on the Extension System Web site at www.acesag.auburn.edu/ department/crd/pubs.html under the Community Resource Development home page. The Pesticide Impact Assessment Program will compile data on pasture and forage crops in FY1999 and field and sweet corn in FY2000.
Commodity specialists serve on annual data retrieval and planning committees as appropriate. All pesticide usage data are being gathered by the Alabama Agricultural Statistics Service under a special negotiated grant paid by National Agricultural Pesticide Impact Assessment Program funds.
County agents statewide are queried annually to provide data on pest control needs and problems such as inadequate control of pests by currently used pesticides or pest control regimes. Data is available to county agents on statewide pesticide usage, on other control regimes, and on Integrated Pest Management employed, economic, and environmental impacts delineated in this program.
Outcomes—Evaluation and Progress Reporting
Annual reports are prepared using federally mandated impact indicators. Data that complies with the Government Performance and Results Act are currently required for this project beginning in FY1998 and for subsequent years.
Summary of Program Impacts
The Alabama Pesticide Impact Assessment Program
Supports the registration
of essential pesticides used to combat pests unique to Alabama on all major
crops.
Shows economic necessity
of pesticide usage in maintaining food and fiber crop products available
to consumers at the most economical cost while maintaining safe, wholesome
products with minimal negative environmental impacts.
Survey data provided by crop
producers provides currently used pest control technology to Extension
System specialists and Auburn University researchers that helps them better
design up-to-date education and research programs.
Results of the Pesticide Impact Assessment Program Since 1996
Alabama farmers have not lost any essential pesticides used on major crops in Alabama since 1996. Since 1997, two pesticides have been defended for continued use in Alabama. The use of Methyl Parathion was defended in FY1997, and the use of Phos-Toxin in peanut warehouses was defended in FY1998 from restrictions that could have had major negative economic impacts on peanut storage facilities in Alabama.
The Reasons for Success and an Invitation to Participate
The author thanks all crop producers who have participated in pest control surveys conducted by the Alabama Agricultural Statistics Service and those who will participate in the future. These surveys are essential, although time-consuming and laborious, since this data is the foundation to providing you with the rewards of this program. To enhance and improve agricultural production in Alabama we must know how you currently control major pests in your agricultural operation.
Farmers are commended for their knowledge and expertise in pesticide application as well as for their participation in the Pesticide Application Education Program that seeks to minimize pesticide overexposure and excessive residues on crop products. Alabama has an excellent track record, among the top in the country, for the lowest number of pesticide overexposures by pesticide applicators. The record is also good for minimal pesticide residues on crop products resulting in safe, wholesome farm commodities offered to consumers at economical costs. The Pesticide Impact Assessment Program enjoys success because of knowledgeable Alabama farmers that utilize pesticides prudently and properly. You are encouraged to continue to participate in the Alabama Cooperative Extension System Pesticide Education Program and to supply input if requested on pest control surveys conducted by the National Agricultural Statistics Service for the Pesticide Impact Assessment Program. Please visit the Extension System Web site and obtain pest control data entered by Alabama agricultural producers or visit your county Extension agent and request data and information on the Pesticide Applicator Training programs offered in your county.
Jesse C. LaPrade
Environmental Specialist
Pesticide Impact Assessment Program Liaison
| Spring 1999 | Editor, J. Thomas Chesnutt |
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.
