THE AAPFCO INSIDER. Welcome!

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1 THE AAPFCO INSIDER Courtesy of the Education and Communication Committee. Welcome! Welcome to the AAPFCO Insider, your source for information about upcoming events, new members, retirements, meetings, and AAPFCO sponsored events. The Insider is published twice a year following the mid-year and annual meetings. Remember, this is YOUR newsletter. We only know what s going on if you tell us. Please send information or pictures you would like to see in the next insider. Katie Laney klaney@nmda.nmsu.edu ADDRESS FROM OUR PRESIDENT I hope everyone has had a chance to cool down from our annual meeting in Austin, TX. No, it wasn t due to heated debates, but the actual temperature in Texas during the time we were there, kind of put you in mind of an oven. I would personally like to thank the great state of Texas for their hard work in putting together such a great meeting, well organized, well attended, excellent accommodations, great committee meetings, and wonderful face to face time with old and new friends. I don t believe you get the feeling you know someone through , texting or the other high tech communications these days. In my opinion, this is one of the overlooked values to our Administrator Seminar, and the Annual and Midyear Meetings. So, if you couldn t attend the Annual, the Administrator Seminar is coming up the last week of October in AAPFCO President Brett Groves Phoenix, AZ and we hope to see you there. The Midyear will be here before we realize it and it will be held in San Antonio, TX. Keep checking for more information on both the Seminar and Midyear. After the AACO meeting was over, the Long Range Planning Committee met for another day and a half working on the strategic plan. Ben Jones found a great facilitator that was able to guide the committee through a very tough process in a very short amount of time. After the committee has time to review the strategic plan, we will find a way to present it to the entire 1

2 2011 AAPFCO Insider Volume 3 AAPFCO group. We would like to thank all the states that participated in the surveys, the response was incredible. One thing I feel I can share is, during the process we discovered AAPFCO is a healthy, viable organization and the development of a new strategic plan was necessary and timely to keep us that way. As I write this, we are preparing for a Basic Inspectors Training Seminar (BITS) in Raleigh, NC during the middle of September. BITS is a cooperative effort between AAPFCO, AAFCO and AASCO and it is a great place to send your new or relatively new inspectors to be trained on seed, feed and fertilizer inspections. We even see seasoned inspectors come to this training as a refresher course. It looks like we will have around 60 inspectors from all over the United States attending this training. This is a much sought out training event and if your state has several inspectors that could benefit from this training, you could always host the training next year. Let me know if you are interested and I ll help you coordinate it. In closing, I would like to thank all the chairs, vice chairs, committee members and liaisons for their continued support in AAPFCO. These are very busy times but you all continue to work so hard to get the job done and done right. There are a few committees that could use some additional committee members and if you are not involved in one, I would like you to take the time, look over the purpose statements and see which committee(s) you could help. If travel is an issue, the committees are doing conference calls to help get the major proportion of the work done and your input would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Steve McMurry, Joe Slater or myself if you have a desire to get involved. Sincerely, Brett Groves AAPFCO President Past President Kenny Naylor, President Brett Groves 2

3 COMING SOON: AAPFCO MID YEAR MEETING 2012 The AAPFCO Mid year meeting is just around the corner. This years meeting is being held in San Antonio TX February The meeting is sure to be productive and informative. San Antonio also offers a variety of actives for visitor, the Hyatt of were the meeting is being held is located Steps away from the well know San Antonio River walk which boosts an abundance of eateries, shopping of all sorts, and museums. Also, the hotel is conveniently located across the street from the famed historical Alamo (which is free to visit). For those who like to venture out into the city there are several places worth visiting: McNay Art Museum Free Thursday nights and the first Sunday of the month San Antonio Museum of Art Free Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m Witte Museum Free Tuesdays 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. San Antonio Missions National Historic Park Mission San José La Villita SeaWorld San Antonio Six Flags Fiesta Texas Tower of the Americas San Antonio Zoo King William Historic District Buckhorn Saloon & Museum INSPECTOR MANUAL The Alamo in San Antonio Texas For more info visit This year marks the first time that the AAPFCO inspector manual will be separate from the AAPFCO official publication. The AAPFCO inspection manuals are now for $25.00 TOOLS OF THE TRADE Missouri "D" bulk fertilizer sampling probes all stainless steel. Approximately $1, each, plus shipping. New order should be available by January New stainless steel bag fertilizer sampling probes are available now. $ each, plus shipping. 3

4 UPDATES FROM THE FERTILIZER INSTITUTE On Aug. 3, the Department of Homeland Security issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking implementing the Secure Handling of Ammonium Nitrate Act of The proposed Ammonium Nitrate Security Program calls for: Regulation of ammonium nitrate that is defined as not less than 33 percent nitrogen by weight and any mixture containing not less than 30 percent ammonium nitrate by weight; Requires registration and vetting against the Terrorist Screening Database for those who sell, purchase and take possession, or transfer ownership of ammonium nitrate; Requires sellers to conduct point of sale verification of purchasers; Recordkeeping requirements; Inspections and audits of facilities; Regulates transporters who are facility employees; Regulates independent transporters; Proposes exemptions for 25 pounds or less; cold packs; and mixtures made into Ammonium Nitrate/Fuel Oil; Requires reporting of theft or loss; Civil penalties per violation of the regulations up to $50,000 States may apply to DHS for delegation of authority to implement the program DHS may also enter into cooperative agreements with states or with the Secretary of agriculture to implement the program Comments on the proposal must be submitted no later than Dec. 1. A copy of the proposal can be accessed at Additional information can also be obtained from Pam Guffain,Vice President of Member Services at The Fertilizer Institute, by telephone at (202) or via at pguffain@tfi.org. 4

5 SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS, 2011 AAPFCO ANNUAL MEETING AUSTIN TX Industry Regulatory Council Committee Report August 2, 2011 Ford West, President of the Fertilizer Institute, reviewed recent activities and developments in Washington that will impact the agriculture industry. Dr Cliff Snyder, Nitrogen Program Director for the International Plant Nutrition Institute, provided an update on developments related to implementation of the Florida Numeric Nutrient Criteria rule. Keynote speaker from 2011 annual AAPFCO meeting Paul Fixen, Senior Vice President of IPNI, reviewed IPNI s Global Information System model for evaluating fertilizer use and plant uptake. His presentation highlighted the importance of obtaining accurate data on fertilizer use. John Davis, a nutrient management specialist with USDA s Natural Resources Conservation Service, presented an update on enhanced efficiency fertilizers and NRCS s work supporting efficient fertilizer use. Bill Hall gave provided an update on the status of the Methods Forum work, and upcoming activities. Unfortunately, travel difficulties prevented Matt Haynes from making his planned presentation on regulating imported fertilizers. The Industry Regulatory Council met Tuesday to discuss potential topics and speakers for the 2012 meeting. We want to present topics of interest to the membership, so please contact any member of the Council to make suggestions for topics or speakers. Finally, we offer our thanks and appreciation to Mike Hancock for his service and leadership to our group. Best wishes for a long and happy retirement! Terms and Definitions Committee August 2, 2010 Overview Previous actions taken were reviewed by the committee; T-83 Digestate was moved to the Board to move it to Official status. N-34 Melamine was moved to the Board to be deleted. 5

6 Items voted on to remain in tentative status include Silicon products listed as Beneficial Substances (BSC-1, 2, 3, and 4), t-64 Humic Acids, Humates, Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate New definitions or terms recommended by the committee to tenitive status included: Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solution, Oilseed meal, Zeolites, Herbivore Insect Frass, and Nitrapyrim[2- chloro-6(trichloromethyl) pyridine] Committee Actions New Terms N- Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solution (UAN-x) is a commercial liquid product composed of a mixture of ammonium nitrate, urea and water. The Guaranteed Total Nitrogen content of the product shall be denoted by x. Typical UAN products contain between 28-32% Total Nitrogen. N- Oilseed meal is the product remaining after extracting most of the oil from whole oilseed. It is a source of slowly available nitrogen. The definition is used by prefixing the term oilseed meal with the name of the whole oilseed from which the meal is derived (e.g. soybean meal, cottonseed meal, mustard seed meal, etc. T- Zeolites are micro porous, aluminosilicate minerals which possess a high cation exchange capacity. Their uses include Soil Amendments and Soil Conditioners. T- Herbivore Insect Frass is the excreta of plant-eating insects which is produced in a controlled environment and consist primarily of the digested material passed by plant-eating insects. It is a source of Nitrogen, Phosphate and Potash.? - Nitrapyrin [2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl) pyridine] inhibits Nitrosomonas spp. of soil bacteria that slows the conversion of ammonium forms of nitrogen to nitrite as part of the nitrification cycle. Next Steps Review and discussion of current items in tenitive status. Review and discussion of proposed UFTRS definitions Review and discussion of new submissions brought before the committee. Uniform Reports August 2, 2011 April Hunt, Chair The main topic was the development of a Universal Uniform Fertilizer Tonnage Reporting System (UFTRS). The Universal UFTRS would include a web interface to allow industry access to UFTRS and enter data online. Bill Herz, The Fertilizer Institute and Rod Connor, Ag 6

7 Gateway gave a presentation about factors affecting tonnage report uniformity and the project Ag Gateway is working on to build an interface between the states and industry for reporting in a paperless system. IT staff at the University of Missouri are also working on a web interface for UFTRS. The committee recognizes that 2 pilot projects are underway, an AAPFCO project and an Ag Gateway project. A motion was made to have the project leaders meet via conference call or webinar this fall to discuss the projects in more detail and see if the systems could join together. An update will be provided at the midyear meeting. Environmental Affairs August 3, 2011 David Howle, chair; Ewa Madey, incoming chair Michael Norman, Nutrient Management Sub-Committee chair April Hunt, By Products and Recycled Materials vice chair David Howle announced that it would be his last meeting as chair, he is passing the reins over to Ewa Madey. Nutrient Management Sub-Committee Clifford S. Snyder, Program Director at the International Plant Nutrition Institute gave a presentation titled: Correlation of Fertilizer Application with Hypoxic Zone Size. The group also discussed new state nutrient management legislation. Developing fertilizer application rules will be added to the midyear agenda. By Products and Recycled Materials Sub-Committee The main topic of discussion was the reconsideration of a caution statement for fertilizer and soil amendments containing beneficial bacterial that are also known to be human pathogens. The working group discussed the 3 step process it developed. A motion was passed to have the working group continue to finalize the precautionary statements for insertion into the Model Bill and to develop a decision tree to aid control officials with assessing beneficial organisms. The decision tree could then move forward as an SUIP. Matt Haynes, Oregon Department of Agriculture, gave a presentation to the group titled, Regulating Imported Fertilizer in Oregon. The committee agreed that import monitoring mechanisms to strengthen border controls between states and AAPFCO members including Canada should be discussed further. The growing trend of recycling waste water treatment nutrients (processed sewage and biosolids) and the regulatory implications therein will be added to the midyear agenda. Education and Information Committee August 3, 2011 Committee Actions: None Presentations provided to the Committee for posting on AAPFCO Website: 7

8 AAPFCO Label Review Manual by Matt Haynes will be reviewed at the Administrators Seminar in October, final draft will be provided at the 2012 Mid Year meeting. Slow Release Fertilizers & Enhanced Efficiency by Bill Hall, will be updated, final draft will be provided at the 2012 Mid Year meeting. Committee 101 PowerPoint by Debe Allen, will be reviewed at the Administrators Seminar in October, final draft will be provided at the 2012 Mid Year meeting. SGN and Uniformity Index by Harold Falls will be updated, final draft will be provided at the 2012 Mid Year meeting. Review of AAPFCO Insider by Katie Laney. Final stages of completion will be ed to Association within the next couple of months. Best Management Practices (BMP) Committee August 3, 2011 Overview: Bulk Blend Workshop to be held January 18 th, 2012 in State College, PA Bulk Blend Manual to be revised for Canada and may contain a test at the end. Blender Testing Protocol At the current time we have no protocol for blender testing. Obtain pdf files of blender manuals and put on AAPFCO website or link to manufacturer websites. Matt Kastner and Steve McMurry will head this project. Post on website some Best Management Practices to help with the proper us of fertilizer o What BMP s are available and accessible o State specific and will need to create several links o Four R s from TFI o IPNI putting together a stewardship manual this winter BMP Plant Security Sub-Committee August 3, 2011 Overview: Deborah Allen gave a power point presentation on Ammonium Nitrate Regulation o 120 day comment period ending December 1, 2011 o TFI will distribute a summary review and solicit comments o This is not the final rule but rather a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking States are encouraged to comment o AAPFCO will review and determine if they need to comment o Question about impact on routine sampling/precautions o Web portal to receive AN # s for sellers and purchasers o Recordkeeping requirements: 2 years, report theft, collect AN # s for each sale o Delegation of authority to state DHS may enter into cooperative agreement Governor of state to submit written request to DHS Will not preempt any state law which provides for additional protection 8

9 AAPFCO MEMBERS AT THEIR FINEST At this past annual meeting in Austin Texas Mr. Mike Hancock, fertilizer administrator for the Office of Indiana State Chemist received the D.S. Coltrane Award. The award is given to individuals who have performed meritorious service for at least 20 years and promoted a harmonious and cooperative relationship between the organization and the industry. The award is not given annually; it is given as appropriate candidates are identified. Mike has been involved in the organization since Congratulations Mike. Vince Snyder with the Espoma Company received the Distinguished Service Award, for his years of service with AAPFCO. President Kenny Naylor Awarding Vince Snyder with the Distinguished Service Award 9

10 2011 AAPFCO Insider Volume 3 NEW AAPFCO MEMBERS Control Officials Brad Stancil rejoined the Division of Regulatory Services at Clemson University in January of 2011 as Program Manager for the Fertilizer inspection program as well as the certified seed program for the state of South Carolina.. He left the division in 2009 for 11 months to manage the greenhouse complex for the Clemson University Experiment Station. Brad worked in the regulatory division managing the seed certification program and the organic certification program from 2006 through Prior to joining Regulatory Services, Brad worked for the Agronomy department as assistant variety test coordinator for row crops from Brad Stancil 10

11 Lance Kunneman transferred in from the field on October 1, 2010 to become the Fertilizer Program Administrator in the Consumer Protection Services Division of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Lance had been working as an Ag Resource Field Inspector since June of 2005 for ODAFF. Prior to his employment with ODAFF, Lance was coowner of a custom fertilizer application business, farmed wheat and grazed stocker cattle after graduating from Oklahoma State University with a BS in Agricultural Economics in (No Photo) Lance Kunneman Sarah Robinson has been a Chemist in Clemson University s Department of Plant Industry Fertilizer Lab since April She has a BS from the University of Montevallo in Chemistry and Biology (2006) and a MS from Clemson University in Environmental Toxicology (2009). (No Photo) Teresa Grant started out with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA), Food and Drug Protection Division in January 2008, as a supervisor of the Food Laboratory. This laboratory was also responsible for Mycotoxin testing in feeds and forages. In April 2009, Teresa became supervisor over the food, feed, forage and fertilizer laboratories. Prior to her employment with NCDA, Teresa was the Lab Director at an environmental testing laboratory in Cary, North Carolina. She had 24 years experience in environmental testing. Teresa graduated from Huntingdon College with a BA in Chemistry in 1991 and a BS in Biology from the University of Alabama Birmingham in (No Photo) Melinda K. Walsh is the new Webmaster for the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials, with the responsibility of keeping the website up-to-date and as current as possible. She is also the webmaster for AASCO (Association of American Seed Control Officials) and AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials), the sister associations of AAPFCO. She is currently employed with the Office of Indiana State Chemist, which is located on the Purdue University campus in West Lafayette, Indiana. She also maintains the State Chemist website as well. During her fifteen years with the Office of Indiana State Chemist, she has enjoyed taking on the challenge of website design and management, including graphic design. Prior to beginning her 15-year career at Purdue University, she worked as a legal secretary in both Indiana and Michigan. 11

12 Katie Laney Katie Laney joined the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, Feed Seed and Fertilizer Division in October 2010, as the fertilizer program manager. Prior to her employment with the NMDA she worked in the soils laboratory as a research and teaching assistant at New Mexico State University. She Graduated from New Mexico State University with a BS in Agriculture and Extension Education in 2007, followed by an MA in Agriculture and Extension Education in Currently, she is finishing an MS in Plant and Environmental Science Soil Science. AAPFCO S NEW INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES 12

13 Amy Serafin is the Product Compliance Coordinator for Advanced Nutrients, the company specializes in hydroponic fertilizers. Amy holds a M.S. in Plant and Soil Science from Southern IL Univ. - Carbondale (SIU-C), during her 15+ years in the Horticulture Industry, she has taught Horticulture courses for SIU-C and Rend Lake Jr. College, worked as a Horticulture Educator for the University of Illinois- Extension, was Head Propagator at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, Clermont, KY and was Land Rehab and Maintenance Coordinator for the Army's Sustainable Range Program, Fort Knox, KY. She currently resides in Kentucky. Amy Serafin (No photo) Katherine Delemont has been working for Advanced Nutrients for the past year completing fertilizer registration paperwork and state fertilizer tonnage reports. She is a graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI and enjoyed the conference and getting to know regulators as well as fellow registrars. Michelle Le Heiget Michelle Le Heiget I am currently the Production Manager for Wolf Trax Inc., a Canadian based micronutrient manufacturer that markets it s products around the world. My role with the company encompasses management of both the production of our products as well as regulatory compliance in over 60 different regulatory jurisdictions we market our products into. I source all our feed or pharma grade ingredients, and manage the manufacturing of these products in ISO certified facilities, allowing me to control the quality and consistency of our products. I have been with Wolf Trax since 2000, and have been in my current role as Production Manager since the fall of I have found my involvement with AAPFCO so far to be very informative and welcoming, and look forward to attending future meetings to expand my knowledge of the US regulatory environment. 13

14 ENJOYING RETIREMENT Julie Hester retired from the Georgia Department of Agriculture retired on May 1, 2011, after 34 years of service. She began her career at the Department as Lab Associate in the Feed Lab, and served as Georgia s Feed Microscopist. She was an active member of the American Association of Feed Microscopists, serving as President for She later became Lab Manager of the Feed and Fertilizer Labs when they were consolidated. In 2000, she moved from the labs into the Plant Food, Feed & Grain Division as Director, where she managed Feed, Fertilizer and Lime, Soil Amendments, Horticultural Growing Media, Grain Inspection, and FDA Medicated Feed and BSE programs. She has represented Georgia at AAFCO and AAPFCO meetings, and has served on the Laboratory Services and Uniform Bills committees and Soil Amendment sub-committee. She also was a member of ASFFPCO (Association of Southern Feed, Fertilizer, and Pesticide Control Officials) serving as Chair of the Constitution & By-Laws and Resolutions committees. Julie Hester 14