![[logo] US EPA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081019143929im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Why is EPA involved with agriculture?
National Agriculture Information
- Agriculture
- Basic Information
- Where You Live
- Frequent Questions
- Sectors
- A to Z Subject Index
- Air
- Business Assistance
- Health & Safety
- Pesticides
- Site & Equipment
- Sustainability
- Water
- Laws & Regulations
- Resources
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is committed to protecting the Nation’s food, water, land and air for generations to come. These are goals that are important to American farmers, as well.
Auburn University and EPA employees tour a farm where EPA Region 4 non-point source funds were used to implement conservation practices for cattle.
EPA Region 4's Regional Strategy for Agriculture (PDF) (13 pp, 220K, About PDF) provides coordination with EPA’s National Strategy for Agriculture. The Region 4 strategy summarizes the Region’s priority activities related to agriculture and describes the Region’s approach for working in cooperation and collaboration with agricultural interests to:
- reduce any adverse impacts from agricultural activities on the environment
- improve communications with agricultural interests regarding policies, rules, requirements, and programs, and
- increase the Region’s understanding of agricultural perspectives on environmental issues.
Agriculture is a vital part of the economy, culture, and history of the Southeast. Farmers and ranchers provide food, feed, fiber, and some fuel using plants, animals and their by-products. Statistics for Region 4 compiled from the U.S. Department of Agriculture 2002 Census of Agriculture show that:
- The region had 433,311 farms on more than 80 million acres.
- The average farm size was 185 acres.
- The combined crop and livestock sales in 2002 grossed over $ 31 billion, for an average of $ 72,157 per farm.
Region 4’s Commitment to Work with Agriculture
EPA Region 4’s vision is to work with agricultural interests, other federal agencies, states, tribes, and others to achieve continual environmental improvement and promote the sustainable and economically viable production of safe, abundant supplies of food, fiber, and energy products.
Agriculture Contacts
Issue/Program |
Person | Telephone |
|---|---|---|
Agriculture Policy and Agriculture Issues |
Denise Tennessee (tennessee.denise@epa.gov) |
404-562-8460 |
Agriculture-Water Issues |
Duane Robertson (robertson.duane@epa.gov) |
404-562-9398 |
Air Emissions |
Ken Mitchell (mitchell.ken@epa.gov) |
404-562-9065 |
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) Enforcement |
David Parker (parker.david@epa.go) |
404-562-9460 |
CAFO Permitting |
Sam Sampath (sampath.sam@epa.gov) |
404-562-9229 |
Non-point Source Pollution Control |
Mark Nuhfer (nuhfer.mark@epa.gov) |
404-562-9390 |
Pesticides |
Lora Lee Schroeder (schroeder.lora@epa.gov) |
404-562-9015 |
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) |
Thornell Cheeks (cheeks.thornell@epa.gov) |
404-562-8479 |