06/09/05 Smoke management classes

The Idaho Department of Agriculture has teamed up with the Farm Bureau and the Idaho Grain Producers to host eight smoke management classes next week. ISDA's Wayne Hoffman says the classes will help farmers decide when and how they should burn their fields. HOFFMAN "They're going to go through the steps and learn exactly what they need know in order to continue burning their fields effectively causing the minimal amount of disturbance to their neighbors." These southern Idaho classes are similar to ones held for bluegrass growers in north Idaho. Thanks to the effort of ISDA and farmers the number of smoke complaints in north Idaho has dropped 82 percent in the past two years. Classes begin next Monday, June 13th with a morning session in Fruitland and an evening meeting at Caldwell. Before the week is over the classes will be held Tuesday in Twin Falls and Burley, Wednesday at Blackfoot and Preston and wrapping up next Thursday in Idaho Falls and Rexburg. You'll find a list of the classes and the times by going to the ISDA website, www.agri.state.id.us and look for the news release. There's no fee or pre-registration, just show up. One other note, Governor Dirk Kempthorne has added Jerome County to the growing list of drought disaster areas. That means 18 of the state's 44 counties are now under the drought declaration this year. Last year 24 counties were listed. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott