Task Force on Agricultural Air Quality Research
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Task Force on Agricultural Air Quality Research (TFAQR) advises the USDA on matters concerning air quality related to agricultural activities. It focuses on developing research initiatives, providing policy recommendations, and ensuring coordination among federal agencies to address air quality issues in agriculture.
Mission
The TFAQR's mission is to facilitate research that leads to better agricultural practices which reduce air pollution while supporting the agricultural sector's productivity. The task force is committed to addressing issues like ammonia emissions, particulate matter, and greenhouse gases, promoting practices that are both environmentally and economically sustainable.[1]
Parent organization
The TFAQR is managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which is part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). NRCS works to conserve natural resources on private lands.[2]
Legislation
The task force was established by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (the 1996 Farm Bill), which mandates its role in agricultural air quality research.[3]
Partners
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Agricultural research institutions
- State and local air quality regulatory bodies
- Farmers and agricultural industry groups[4]
Number of employees
The task force consists of 27 members appointed by the USDA Secretary, representing a wide range of expertise and stakeholders in agriculture and air quality.[5]
Organization structure
Members include agricultural producers, researchers, scientists, and representatives from health and regulatory agencies.
Leader
The task force is led by a Chair, who oversees its operations and communicates recommendations to the USDA.
Divisions
There are no formal divisions, but the task force might form working groups:
- Working groups might focus on specific pollutants or research areas.
List of programs
- Development of research agendas for agricultural air quality
- Recommendations on emission reduction strategies
- Coordination of intergovernmental research efforts
Last total enacted budget
Specific budget details for the task force are not publicly disclosed; it operates within the broader NRCS budget.
Staff
The task force does not have dedicated staff; support is provided by NRCS personnel.
Funding
Funding for the task force's activities is part of the USDA's NRCS budget for air quality research.
Services provided
The task force provides advisory services, focusing on policy development, research prioritization, and coordination to improve air quality in agricultural settings, ensuring practices are sustainable and compliant with environmental standards.
Regulations overseen
While not directly overseeing regulations, the task force's recommendations influence agricultural practices and policies related to air quality.
Headquarters address
2150 Centre Avenue, Building A, Suite 314B, Fort Collins, CO 80526, United States
History
Since its establishment by the 1996 Farm Bill, the TFAQR has been pivotal in guiding research and policy to mitigate the impact of agricultural activities on air quality, promoting a balance between environmental stewardship and agricultural productivity.[6]
External links
References
- ↑ USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. "Task Force on Agricultural Air Quality Research". USDA NRCS, https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/air/taskforce/ (accessed February 8, 2025).
- ↑ USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. "About NRCS". USDA NRCS, https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/about/ (accessed February 8, 2025).
- ↑ Federal Register. "Request for Nominations to the Task Force on Agricultural Air Quality Research". Federal Register, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/03/07/2023-04716/request-for-nominations-to-the-task-force-on-agricultural-air-quality-research (accessed February 8, 2025).
- ↑ Posts found on X discussing partnerships in agricultural air quality research.
- ↑ USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. "Task Force on Agricultural Air Quality Research". USDA NRCS, https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/air/taskforce/ (accessed February 8, 2025).
- ↑ Federal Register. "Request for Nominations to the Task Force on Agricultural Air Quality Research". Federal Register, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/03/07/2023-04716/request-for-nominations-to-the-task-force-on-agricultural-air-quality-research (accessed February 8, 2025).