Barbara Finch is my area's representative in the Iowa legislature, and
during IEC Lobby day we had a conversation about some of our environmental
priorities.

She supports expansion of the bottle bill and protection for valuable and
vulnerable areas.  As to phosphorus limits for manure application, she will
support anything recommended by DNR director Jeff Vonk, but would have to
examine the legislation coming out of the bipartisan committee carefully
before deciding whether to support it.  Whether she would vote for permit
fees adequate to support the DNR's program for animal confinement
operations would depend on how the fee structure affects small
producers.  Many small and medium sized operators are leaving the business,
leaving it to the large producers.

She lives in the Walnut Creek Watershed just south of Ames, and her
family's farm is one that is taking direction from the National Soil Tilth
Lab program.  The National Soil Tilth Lab has been conducting nutrient
studies in both soil and water in that watershed for a number of years,
asking some farm operators to follow their directions and guaranteeing that
they will not loose money in the event that production is lowered by
following their guidelines.  The Finches test for both nitrate and
phosphorus in their soil and actually apply less phosphorus than is
recommended.  Their farm includes a small cattle operation, raised
principally for breeding, but a few are slaughtered and sold privately.

It was an interesting and encouraging experience, one I would recommend to
a friend.  Lobbying can be a rewarding experience.

Peggy Murdock

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