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Spring cleaning East Sac water quality assessment highlights the 35 FFA projects awarded $50,000 by IFBFIowa The deep freeze of 2007-2008 is thawing, and that means many Iowans will soon be trying to make their lawns look like the fairways at Augusta National. But educational studies being conducted by groups like the East Sac FFA Chapter may make them rethink how aggressively they apply the extra fertilizer. With the help of a $2,000 FFA Environment First Grant from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, the chapter will receive training through the IOWATER program and conduct a study that examines fertilizer levels in the soil and water contamination at Blackhawk Lake in Lake View. "We're trying to raise awareness and promote land and water stewardship," said East Sac advisor Scott Johnson. "By educating current users and future users of our resources, maybe we'll see a reduction in all types of fertilizer application amounts and the number of applications." According to Johnson, the chapter is hoping to begin its training and testing this spring. East Sac was one of 35 FFA chapters--located in 33 counties across Iowa--that received a total of $50,000 in funding from the IFBF to support programs that improve environmental quality in their communities. This year's applicants were encouraged to consider projects that analyze water quality protection and odor mitigation, two high priority issues with evolving solutions. The FFA Environment First Grant Program is sponsored by the IFBF in conjunction with the Iowa FFA Association. Since the program began in 2002, Farm Bureau has awarded nearly 340 grants totaling more than $460,000. The grants are announced during National Ag Week, March 16 to 22. "Environmental stewardship is a high priority for Farm Bureau members, and the FFA Environment First Grant Program is a great vehicle to share our enthusiasm for environmental education and action with our local communities," said IFBF President Craig Lang. Iowa FFA advisor Dale Gruis echoed Lang and thanked Farm Bureau for its continued support of FFA. "We're grateful that the Iowa Farm Bureau has renewed its longtime commitment to the environment and the FFA," said Gruis. "This program gives FFA members a chance to take environmental learning into their communities, and we couldn't give them that opportunity without Farm Bureau's support." FFA chapters were able to apply for up to $2,000 in funding for activities to be conducted this calendar year. The winners will be recognized at the Iowa State FFA Convention in April. 4/7/08 Date: 4/2/08 Advertisement
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