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UDAF Launches Environmental Stewardship Certification Program

Flickr: Lyza
Box Elder, Utah

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is launching a new program that rewards farmers and ranchers who are working to protect the environment.

Jay Olsen is an environmental specialist for the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. He says The Agricultural Certificate of Environmental Stewardship program, or ACES, is designed to assist famers and ranchers in their efforts to put in place best practices to protect Utah’s natural resources.  He says it’s also meant to help show the public the proactive approach the agricultural industry is taking with the environment.

“As our state grows and as our resources are taxed by more people and more needs and more diverse population base and the need for water and clean air and protected resources, that this is a program that can help that," he says. "We need to balance it and remember that we need a farmer three times a day.”

To obtain a certificate farmers and ranchers will need to go through a vigorous certification program that involves on-site visits by inspectors. Requirements for the ACES program can be found on the department’s website at ag.utah.gov

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