Lesson 40: Air Quality and Community and Neighbor Issues

Environmental Stewardship Assessment:

The goal of this assessment is to help you confidentially evaluate environmental issues that relate to outdoor air quality. For each issue listed in the left column of the worksheet, read across to the right and indicate the statement that best describes conditions on your farm. If any categories do not apply, leave them blank.

Name of Operation:
Date:

Producer knowledge of and response to neighbor concerns?

1. Do neighbors complain?
Several complaints within last year Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Occasional complaints within recent years
Never

2. Have you asked your neighbors how they feel about odor from your operation?
No Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Some neighbors have been approached
All neighbors have been approached about odors.

3. Do neighbors know who to contact (name and phone number) with an odor complaint?
No Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Some neighbors
All neighbors

4. How are complaints addressed?

Complaints are ignored or not taken seriously.

 Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Complaints are taken seriously but responded to slowly.
Complaints are taken seriously, acted upon quickly, and action is shared with a neighbor.

Pro-Active Community Relations Efforts

5. Is regular contact maintained with neighbors?
No Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Occasionally
Always

6. Are neighbors notified in advance of odorous activities (e.g., surface application of manure)?
No Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Occasionally
Always

7. Have neighbors and community leaders been provided an opportunity to tour your operation?
No Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Some neighbors and community leaders are provided tour opportunities.
Yes, neighbors and community leaders are encouraged to tour operation.

8. Is farm owner or manager active in community?
Farm owner and manager do not live in local community. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Farm owner/manager has limited involvement in community (e.g., school, service groups, 4-H).
Farm owner/manager is active in community activities (e.g., school, church, service groups, 4-H).

9. General farmstead appearance?
Site shows signs of poor upkeep, weed growth, buildings in disrepair, or accumulation of junk. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Appearance of facilities are well maintained but site appears sterile, "factory farm image.”
Site is neatly landscaped and groomed. Exterior appearance of facilities is well maintained.

10. Manure storage or stockpile visible to public or neighbors?
Storage is located within clear line of sight of neighbors or general public. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Storage is remotely located or visually screened from view of neighbors and general public.

Neighbor Locations (consider neighbors within 2 miles)

11. Topography between neighbors and

Neighbors are located at lower elevation or in valley below facility. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Open, flat terrain
A shelterbelt, woods, or hill

12. Prevailing wind direction relative to:

Prevailing winds move air from:
____ animal housing,
____ manure storage or stockpiles, or
____ manure application sites
toward a residential community during higher odor risk seasons (commonly spring, summer, and time of manure application). 		Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Prevailing winds move air from:
____ animal housing,
____ manure storage or stockpiles, or
____ manure application sites
toward some neighbors during higher odor risk seasons (commonly spring, summer, and time of manure application).
Prevailing winds move air from:
____ animal housing,
____ manure storage or stockpiles, or
____ manure application sites
away from most neighbors for most of the time (especially spring, summer, and time of manure application).
 
Net Survey Score:
Magnitude of risk:

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