04/25/07 New web tool to help farmers

Farmers now have a free online tool available that allows them to compare their current management practices with "best practices" for sustainable agriculture. Farmers can also use the web tool to see if they would qualify for certification with the Food Alliance out of Portland, Oregon which could mean value-added opportunities. The free web tool was development through a partnership with Oregon State and Washington State universities, with support from the Risk Management Agency. RMA's Jo Lynne Seufer. SEUFER - "It really addresses several self-assessment tools to help them be certified and those include safe and fair working conditions, integrated pest management, soil and water conservation and even wildlife conservation. And in each of these areas the online tool provides background information on issues and risk management strategies to help farmers improve their management practices and because they are certified it supports value added opportunities for these producers." Interested producers can get more info from the Internet, www.sat.foodalliance.org. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott