Livestock Environmental Assurance Program

In 1999, the Ohio Livestock Coalition set a goal to expand producer understanding of on farm environmental technology and enhance the livestock industry's environmentally responsible image. To accomplish this goal, the Ohio Livestock Environmental Assurance Program (LEAP) came into existence. By organizing local LEAP training sessions, the Ohio Livestock Coalition hopes to achieve its objective of targeting all areas in the state.

As partner agencies, local soil and water conservation districts, in cooperation with several state and federal agencies, are planning local training sessions. Producers receiving cost-share for livestock practices such as animal waste facilities, heavy use protection areas, livestock watering facilities, etc., are required to attend a training session. Each training session focuses on topics dealing specifically with producer groups. Sessions in Southeast Ohio will focus on feedlot management, grazing management, silage storage, milking center wastewater, odor management, and key regulations. Sessions are divided into three areas. First, a general concepts segment explains why an environmental assurance program is needed. Next, the program highlights an applications section to help producers determine the effects that a farmstead site's physical characteristics can have on water quality. The session ends with an implementation section, which evaluates wells, fertilizers and pesticide storage and application, wastewater treatment management on the farmstead site.

Members of the Ohio Livestock Coalition include: COBA/Select Sires, Ohio Cattlemen's Association, Ohio Corn Growers Association, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, Ohio Dairy Farmer's Federation, Ohio Poultry Association, Ohio Pork Producers Council, Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, Ohio Soybean Association, Ohio Veterinary Medical Association, and Producers Livestock Association.

LEAP is a program funded in part by a grant from the U. S. EPA through nonpoint source management program pursuant to section 319H of the Federal Clean Water Act as amended in 1987.