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"Hurrumph. Just one more thing for me to worry about, pay for, and. argue about with my neighbors." Ac�fkICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Recall the discussion from the -previous chap- ter. Most farmers try to be stewards of the land. Most try to protect and preserve their land and respect the surrounding environment. But solTle- tirnes, economic and other factors interfere with this goa 1. "Prices are way down this year but my costs keep rising. How can I. afford to focus on the environment when I can barely pay my bills ?" New Fork State has given farmers at least a par- tial answer to that cluestion. The Agriculture and Environmental Management (AEM) program, up and running since 2000, is an incentive -based program that helps farmers operate environ- mentally sound and economically viable busi- nesses. The program coordinates existing; agri- cultural and enviroll.Illen.tal corlservation consultants and public programs for olle -stop shoppitig for services such as cost - sharing or technical advice about co.i:lservation practices on the farm. "Now I can make just one call and get the an- swers I need." "Cost -share funds let us improve our barnyard and make it easier to properly handle our manure and keep runoff out of the creek." 25 Farmers work with these professionals to iden- tify and address environmental. concerns around their farmsteads and. in their fields. "i knout that farmer is trying to do the right thing. 1-fe's been talking to all as neighbors about the consultant's suggestions and how his new plan will protect the enviromn.ent." The federal EPA has hailed'AEM as "an innova- tive state. program that has plat NYS in the fore- front of the national effort to help farmers iden- tify and address agricultural nonpoint source pollution." (FYI: Nonpoint source pollution occurs when water moves naturally across the landscape picking tip pollutants, and its place and time of origin cannot be determined.) CONCLUSION "So this is what farmers must deal with '4/7. All these rules and regulations. .1 didn't know. Maybe if we had just talked about this anti shared some information, there wouldn't be so much. misunderstanding." "Well, the neighbors have their complaints and concerns but I have my rights. There's got to be some way we can manage this." The next chapter will give you some pointers.