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STEEP
Annual Research Reports and Listings of New Projects
STEEP (Solutions
To Environmental and Economic Problems) is a cooperative Pacific
Northwest research and educational program on conservation tillage
systems through the University of Idaho, Oregon State University,
Washington State University, and USDA-Agricultural Research Service.
It has been a national model for multi-state, multi-disciplinary
efforts among land grant universities, USDA-agencies, grower commodity
organizations, conservation districts, and other Ag support groups
and agencies to work collectively to solve regional environmental
and economic problems. Funding has been provided by special Congressional
grants since 1975 and is administered through the USDA Cooperative
States Research, Extension and Education Service (CSREES), the administrative
branch for the nation's land grant universities. The USDA-ARS research
centers at Pullman, WA and Pendleton, OR receive funding from ARS
for STEEP-related research programs.
The PNW STEEP
program is currently managed through three committees. A 10-member
Technical Coordinating Committee includes scientists from the three
universities and USDA-ARS, and a representative from USDA-NRCS.
A 7-member Industry Advisory Committee includes 2 growers from each
state representing the grain producer associations (ID Grain Producers
Assoc., OR Wheat Growers League, and WA Assoc. of Wheat Growers),
conservation district associations (ID Assoc. of Soil Conservation
Districts, OR Assoc. Conservation Districts, and WA Assoc. Conservation
Districts), and one each from the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council
and the PNW Direct Seed Association. An 11-member Administrative
Committee includes members from both research and extension at the
3 land grant universities (UI, OSU and WSU), and one each from the
USDA-ARS and USDA-NRCS.
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