New program offers free inspections

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

April 11, 2202 -- A new program is being offered free of charge by Environmental Management Solutions (EMS) to people interested in having their farm inspected for environmental regulations.

This program, called the On Farm Assessment and Environmental Review (OFAER) Program, provides a free, confidential assessment of animal production facilities throughout the United States.

OFAER's goal is to raise environmental awareness and stewardship in an effort to keep animal agriculture a self-regulated industry. The program's no cost and non-regulatory approach helps give producers an edge in public perception of their facility as well as cost savings by taking advantage of a third party's animal production and environmental stewardship knowledge.

In Northeast Texas, one man is nearing the completion of the OFAER training. Billy Brown, of Sulphur Springs, will be able to offer the service to area poultry farmers.

"The assessment is all voluntary and the only one to see the report is the farmer and the data entry person from EMS," stated Brown. "There is no catch. It is free.

"I am just waiting for someone to call. Since this is a new program, there is not a lot of public awareness that the opportunity is available," he continued. "Two assessors are assigned to the farm so the farmer gets unbiased information. "

Producers who would like to participate in the OFAER program need to contact EMS and request a Form A. A list of organizations that provide Form A's is available upon request by calling 888-919-6772.

The producer would need to complete the form and then return it to EMS who will assign an assessment team to the farm.

"Our job is to go through the whole farm pointing out strengths and challenges of the farm. A 'challenge' is a problem that might raise a red flag to the EPA," Brown said. "Both assessors will explain to the producer in detail their findings. We don't leave until he or she understands the findings."

Following the farm's review, the producer should receive the report within two or three weeks, Brown added.

The assessment reports provide the animal producer with recommendations to help reduce costs and to mitigate actual or potential impact on surface or ground water, better control pests, and minimize odor generation and other environmental challenges at the production site.

According to Brown, the major assessment categories are production area surface drainage and perimeter drains, condition of buildings, manure collection and transfer practices, outdoor surface drainage and perimeter drains, sanitation and maintenance of shed and lot areas, outdoor manure storage structures, treatment lagoon design and operation and maintenance, land application practices, and mortality disposal practices and structures.

The costs associated with the assessment are paid by the America's Clean Water Foundation with funding provided through an EPA grant.

For more information about the assessment, contact Lisa Call at (515)278-8002.