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 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]