What is OFAER? |
 OFAER
is an environmental assessment that looks at pork,
beef feedlot, dairy and poultry producer’s
operation(s) and helps them understand where they
fit within the environmental spectrum. This
professional third-party on farm environmental
assessment is confidential, free of charge and is
conducted by a team of two certified, professional
assessors. |
|
|
Even though the
assessment is free, where’s the catch? |
|
Over 3500 operations throughout the United States have participated in the OFAER assessments. Producers have benefited from the final report listing strengths, challenges and recommendations. There really is no catch except the investment of the producer’s time to go through the program. |
|
|
|
Why is OFAER free of charge to producers? |
|
Congress has provided funding through the United States Environmental Protection Agency to offer the
on farm environmental assessments to pork, beef feedlot, dairy and poultry operations of all sizes free of charge. These funds are appropriated to America’s Clean Water Foundation
(ACWF). |
|
|
|
Who is ACWF? |
|
ACWF is a national nonprofit organization located in Washington, DC. It was created in 1989 to serve as a forum to promote personal and community stewardship of water resources though a better understanding of methods for achieving clean and safe water for all Americans. They engage in projects and activities that encourage innovation and technology exchange regarding water quality.
ACWF is the funding source for the
OFAER Program. |
|
|
|
Who is EMS, LLC? |
|
Environmental Management Solutions,
LLC
is a private, limited liability company located in Des Moines, IA. They strive to move agriculture to a scientific based, economically viable and politically acceptable industry. They administer the OFAER Program and do all program management. They also do environmental consulting work as well as audits, CNMP development, and education and training
programs. EMS,
LLC
does OFAER Program Administration, which includes
helping producers, training assessors, scheduling
assessors on assessments, and sending reports and
certificates to producers. |
|
|
|
How will my biosecurity protocol be observed? |
All producers set their own biosecurity requirements by listing their requirements in the Form A that they fill out. The four major aspects of livestock production biosecurity that are observed include: animal-free days, clean equipment and material (clothing, vehicles, and equipment), shower-in/shower-out, and the order of the assessment.
Biosecurity coveralls, boots and clean clothing will be worn on an assessment unless an operation provides preferred alternate clothing. Assessors will follow the site’s protocol for shower-in/shower-out equipped facilities. The sequencing of the assessment, or movement throughout the site, is
set by the producer who explains this protocol to the assessors upon arrival.
|
|
|
|
Why is all the information on Form A necessary for an assessment? |
|
The information on Form A is needed for the assessors to travel to the correct location and understand the unique physical and management aspects of the operation. The Form A provides the vital background information for the assessors so that they can get a “feel” for the operation and be able to better utilize the producer’s time while on-site. Also, the Form A is the only place that addresses the confidential aspect of the program and the operation’s biosecurity protocol. |
|
|
|
How does a producer know his/her information is confidential? |
|
All assessment notes and information are shred by program management within 60-days of the date of the assessment. Producer information related to name, address, and farm location information is dis-linked from the aggregate assessment data. Assessors are required to sign confidentiality statements that prohibit sharing of information from assessments. Additionally, assessors are required to shred all information regarding assessments within the specified
timeframe. |
|
|
|
How long does an assessment take? |
|
The completion of Form A takes 30-minutes or longer, depending on what information the producer has at hand and the complexity of the operation. The
on farm site assessment will take up to two hours or longer, depending on the number of buildings, lots or pastures that must be assessed.
|
|
|
|
Why is an OFAER assessment referred to as Third-Party? |
|
The OFAER assessment is not a self-assessment nor is it an evaluation by a government agency. Assessors represent neither the producer nor a regulatory agency, so they can assess the operation purely from an environmental impact standpoint. These objective, third-party professional assessors have been trained according to a standard, nation-wide protocol. |
|
|
|
What kinds of information are in the final report? |
|
High risk challenges;
observations; strengths, challenges and recommendations for the five risk areas (general site; buildings, sheds and lots; manure storage and handling; manure utilization; mortality management); and
a summary/prioritization of challenges and recommendations are included in the final report. |
|
|
|
To whom is the final report given? |
|
The final report is mailed to only those indicated on the Form A who are designated to receive the report. These could be the operation manager, owner, contract holder or other designated contact as directed by the person completing Form A. |
|
|
|
What happens if I fail an assessment? |
|
One cannot “fail” an assessment. Each producer is given a final report detailing strengths, challenges and recommendations for the
operation as well as a certificate for completion. The producer has the option of addressing the challenges as he/she chooses. |
|
|
|
Who are the assessors and how are they selected? |
|
Originating from either the private or public sector, assessors have professional training and experience in areas such as livestock management, engineering,
nutrient management, or water quality. All assessors must participate in
the OFAER assessor training. This includes classroom instruction, passing a written examination and
on farm training to obtain their certification as an OFAER assessor. Additionally, certified assessors must
re-certify periodically by attending refresher courses. |
|
|
|
Why is the information gathered entered into a database? |
The assessment information is entered into a database, which can be used to direct industry educational programs, research, verify what kinds of environmental practices are in use, and provide guidance in self-regulation for the livestock industry.
Aggregate database information from large groups of livestock producers can demonstrate the success of the industry in using best environmental management practices and their willingness to self-regulate their industry. Never before has there been a collection of data that relates to “real”
on farm environmental practices that are in use. In the past, this has been an educated guess by all parties involved whether the issue at hand was research, production efficiency, water quality or regulations. |
|
|
|
Who can use this data? |
|
Questions and information that might be available in OFAER aggregate data can be requested through America’s Clean Water Foundation (ACWF). Environmental Management Solutions,
LLC (EMS,
LLC) and ACWF will work together to interpret the aggregate information and provide the requested information. It might not be possible to answer all questions that are asked. |
|
|
|
How often should my operation be assessed? |
|
It is recommended that livestock operations have an OFAER assessment every three years. During this time changes can occur in management personnel, feed rations, manure handling and application, and other key areas that could impact an operation’s environmental strategies and warrant another assessment. By reassessing an operation at a regular interval, producers can continue to build a profile of their operation’s environmental history. |
|
Where can I get more information about OFAER? |
|
OFAER Funding Source:
America’s Clean Water Foundation
750 First Street, N.E., Suite 1030
Washington, D.C. 20002
Chad Savage, OFAER Manager
(202) 898-0908
c.savage@acwf.org |
OFAER Program Administration:
Environmental Management Solutions, LLC
P.O. Box 14586
Des Moines, IA 50306
Marj Ocheltree, OFAER Coordinator
(515) 278-8002
ocheltrm@emsllc.org |
|
|
|
. All Rights Reserved.