America's Clean Water Foundation (ACWF) is a not-for-profit Section 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization located in Washington, D.C. ACWF was created in 1989 to serve as a forum for citizen outreach, youth education and technical program exchange. 
The Foundation's mission is to:

• Build public understanding of clean water programs.
• Encourage innovation and technology exchange.
• Rekindle public interest in clean water.
• Promote personal stewardship of water resources. 

Because of the positive relationship that evolved from working on the OFAER Program, ACWF and EMS, LLC are looking forward to future work together on new initiatives involving education and the environment.

Program:
On-Farm Assessment and Environmental Review (OFAER) Program
EMS, LLC works with ACWF to bring the OFAER Program to animal agricultural production facilities including dairies, feedlots, poultry and swine facilities nationwide. By working together, EMS, LLC and ACWF are able to educate producers on the importance of water quality and proactive protection of the environment by implementing practices that are environmentally friendly while being economically feasible.

The 15-member National Pork Board (NPB) is an independent body established under provisions outlined by Congress in the Pork Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act of 1985. Members are nominated by the Pork Act Delegate Body (producers and importers) each year at the National Pork Industry Forum and appointed by the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture. Members consist of producers from at least 12 states and/or importer(s).

The Board is responsible for the collection, distribution and program accountability for the pork checkoff in the areas of promotion, research and consumer information. The programs funded by the Pork Board are designed to:

• Strengthen the position of the pork industry in the marketplace, and 
• Maintain, develop, and expand markets for pork and pork products. 

The Pork Board contracts with other industry organizations with special expertise to carry out specific programs for producers. The U.S. Meat Export Federation assists the Board in maintaining and developing foreign markets for U.S. pork.

Programs:
Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) Pilots
Pork will be the first livestock species that will be expected by federal and state governments to have their CNMPs developed and implemented. EMS, LLC worked with the National Pork Board to identify what components should be included in a CNMP and what process pork producers would have to go through in completing this plan. Identified were seven states and the development team completed over 40 CNMPs in this pilot phase to meet the objectives set forth.

Today’s U.S. pork industry is experiencing phenomenal growth as it continues to meet worldwide consumer demand for what has become the most popular meat products. The key to this growth is the American pork producer, who continues to incorporate high-quality standards into every level of his or her business.

Pork production in the United States is a vital part of the economy. Nearly 19 billion pounds were processed from about 97 million hogs in 2001. The economic impact of the industry on rural America is immense. Annual farm sales typically exceed $11 billion, while the retail value of pork sold to consumers reaches $38 billion each year.

Pork also provides employment well beyond the farm. The U.S. pork industry is responsible for over $72 billion in total domestic economic activity. In addition, the pork industry supports over 800,000 jobs and adds over $27 billion of value to basic production inputs such as corn and soybeans.

There are approximately 85,760 pork operations today compared to nearly three million in the 1950s. Farms have grown in size; nearly 80 percent of the hogs are grown on farms, which produce 5,000 or more hogs per year.

Major technological advancements have allowed for production to grow dramatically over the years. North Carolina, a state not known for pig production, has now become the second largest pork producing state in the country through the use of genetic capabilities for higher reproductive efficiencies and enhanced lean muscle growth, capturing economies of size, and developing pig raising methods that have controlled diseases and therefore improved productive efficiency. Many producers in other areas of the nation have adopted these same methods. In addition, U.S. pork producers are increasingly taking advantage of new state-of-the-art innovations designed to provide an environmentally efficient operation that are ensures safe, high quality food for consumers.

Today the United States is one of the world’s leading pork-producing countries and is second to only Canada as the largest exporter, tied with Denmark. U.S. production accounts for about 10 percent of the world’s supply.

Program:
Environmental Consulting – technical advice
Consulting ranges from advice on where an organization should be headed for the future on an environmental level to helping producers keep their environmental records up-to-date. EMS, LLC also works with NPPC in developing their environmental policy.

TAD was started by a group of young dairyman in Erath county Texas, an active area for dairy production, that wanted to help promote the dairy industry. After a recent restructuring process in 2002, TAD expanded its producer base to gain a stronger, more united voice for the Texas dairy industry by being available to most dairy producers in the state. TAD is a totally producer driven group with directors that are elected from each dairy co-op which ensure that producers, no matter what their co-op affiliation, have a voice in the workings of the organization. TAD’s goal is to promote the dairy industry in the state and help producers have a voice in the political arena surrounding the dairy industry including regulations.

Program:
TAD is working with EMS, LLC to offer a certification program to their members. It is called the Agricultural Producers Certification Option (APCO). APCO includes OFAER, CNMP development and implementation, and a 3rd party audit of the implemented CNMP on an annual basis to maintain certification.

The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) was established by the Texas Legislature to administer the Texas Soil Conservation Law. As a result, the TSSWCB is responsible for CNMP certification process in Texas. 
With state headquarters in Temple, Texas, the TSSWCB offers a technical assistance program to the state's 216 soil and water conservation districts. The TSSWCB is the lead agency for the planning, management and abatement of agricultural and silvicultural nonpoint source pollution. The TSSWCB maintains regional offices in strategic locations in the state to help carry out the agency's water quality responsibilities.

Programs:
Environmental Consulting – technical advice
As part of the requirements under a TMDL implementation plan for the Bosque River Watershed in Texas they have contracted with EMS, LLC to assist them in the development of the technical guidance for CNMP development in watersheds characterized by intensive livestock production. 

Education and Training
EMS, LLC will provide training for TSSWCB staff members to review CNMPs submitted for certification.