If you've ever been part of an organization, you've probably heard the familiar groan when leaders ask for committee volunteers. Who wants to sit on another committee?

Luckily for the MSU Extension Animal Agriculture and the Environment (AAE) team, the answer is 16 knowledgeable industry representatives who are eager to help shape research, education and outreach efforts.

The AAE external advisory committee consists of swine, horse, beef, dairy and poultry producers as well as representatives from Farm Bureau, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and the Michigan Department of Community Health.

During its April 2007 meeting, the committee identified clear priorities. Its members want Extension educators to create programs that help farmers make good siting decisions and quantify the nutrient value of manure. Programs that increase public awareness and understanding of agricultural practices and attributes were also indicated as areas of emphasis. Advisory committee members gave high priority to research activities that focus on the development and evaluation of alternative manure management strategies, air quality research to mitigate odor and human health concerns, and comparison of traditional and low-input systems.

The AAE team refers to this information as we develop our internal training, professional development, education and research activities. Issues identified by the advisory committee are given high priority as we develop these programs. For example:

• During FAll Extension Conference in October, Extension educators and specialists learned more about the value of manure nutrients during a session led by Natalie Rector, nutrient management educator, and Dale Rozeboom, associate professor of animal science.
  
• Citizen concerns will be the focal point of Balancing Animal Agriculture and Communities, a conference hosted by the team on February 29, 2008, at the Kellogg Center at Michigan State University.
  
• Team members have recently received funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service to partner with livestock groups and other universities to develop an air quality assessment tool that can be used as part of a siting process.
  
• And novel manure management strategies are under investigation by team members as well, some of which were showcased at a recent open house at the MSU South Campus Farms hosted by the AAE team. Input from our external partners is essential to the team to ensure that our activities
  

Input from our external partners is essential to the team to ensure that our activities are relevant and timely. Learn more about the external advisory committee at www.animalagteam.msu.edu.

This article is from the November 2007 issue of The Scoop. To read the rest of The Scoop click here.