Purpose         

Recommend priority areas for ARS research and CSREES-sponsored research, extension and education over the next five years to develop cost-effective management practices, technologies and decision aids that will allow producers to capture the value of manure and other byproducts without degrading environmental quality or posing a threat to human and animal health.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the meeting, participants will have:

• Recommended priority areas for ARS-wide research and CSREES-sponsored research, extension and education on manure and byproduct utilization issues of concern to agriculture.
• Made recommendations regarding the ARS Action Plan for the Agricultural Waste and Byproduct Utilization National Program over the next five years (including efforts that ARS should eliminate or de-emphasize)
• Identified synergies and linkages between the ARS Agricultural Waste and Byproduct Utilization research and other National Programs within ARS
• Considered the Agency’s resource constraints and suggested ARS research and CSREES-sponsored research, extension and education that would most likely compliment research supported by other Federal agencies and the private sector
• Recommended opportunities for improved cooperation and technology transfer between ARS/CSREES and the private sector and between ARS/CSREES and other government agencies

Workshop Proceedings

Presentations:

Evert Byington, ARS National Program Leader for Manure and Byproduct Utilization

• Summary of Customer Questionnaires
• Manure and Byproduct Utilization Action Plan

Steven R. Shafer, ARS Deputy Administrator for Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems

• ARS Overview