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Pueppke Named to USDA Biotechnology Advisory Committee

Steven G. Pueppke, director of the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station and assistant vice president for research and graduate studies at Michigan State University (MSU), has been appointed to a 2-year term on the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

In this role, Pueppke, a professor of plant pathology, will help examine the long-term impacts of biotechnology on the U.S. food and agriculture system and help guide the USDA on issues related to the application of biotechnology in agriculture. AC21 makes recommendations directly to Mike Johanns, secretary of agriculture. Pueppke was nominated to the committee by MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon.

"I look forward to being a member of this committee and helping the USDA determine the impacts and best uses of biotechnology for agriculture and the people it serves," Pueppke said. "I am honored to represent the citizens of Michigan and MSU at the national level."

"Dr. Pueppke's impressive research, teaching and outreach portfolio is well-matched to the goals and objectives of AC21," said J. Ian Gray, MSU vice president for research and graduate studies. "His expertise and experience will be extremely valuable to Secretary Johanns in examining the difficult multidisciplinary socioeconomic, legal and ethical questions surrounding agricultural biotechnology."

Pueppke served as chairperson of the National Agricultural Biotechnology Council in 2003-04.

"This appointment underscores Steve's well-earned reputation as a national leader in the biotechnology arena," said Jeffrey Armstrong, dean of the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. "At MSU we are drawing on his expertise in biotechnology as we move forward in the research and development of biobased products that will stimulate economic development and job creation in Michigan."

Pueppke was named director of the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station and MSU assistant vice president for research and graduate studies Jan. 1. He came to MSU from the University of Illinois, where he had been associate dean for research in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences since 1998. He serves on several committees within the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges and recently led a team that helped create the first university-level biotechnology curriculum in Latvia.

Besides Food, Farming Can Provide Wildlife Habitat and Reduce Global Warming

When people hear the word "agriculture," most think of food. But the benefits of agriculture are much more than farm-fresh corn or dairy products. MAES scientists are investigating how farmers can manage their land to offer everyone more environmental benefits and whether farmers could be paid for providing these benefits.

"Agriculture, which includes planted forests, is the world's largest human-managed ecosystem," said Scott Swinton, MAES agricultural economist. "There is a huge area of land that people manage for food, fiber and fuel -- these are all marketed products with a value attached to them. What we want to know is if we can also manage agriculture for things that people like and appreciate but that don't have markets, such as cleaner air, cleaner water, less global warming, wildlife habitat and aesthetics – many people enjoy seeing the green, open space of farmland in their communities."

Swinton spoke at a symposium titled "Harvesting Ecosystem Services from Agriculture" at the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting. He and the other participants discussed the concept of ecosystem services. These are services provided to humans by the biological processes in the ecosystem -- in this case, agriculture.

Swinton, who studies sustainable agriculture, thinks the idea of ecosystem services is timely. As international trade becomes increasingly more open, many of the protections given to agricultural products are being reduced. By looking at the entire gamut of products -- both marketed and unmarketed -- that agriculture provides, decision makers can make more informed choices about whether, how and why farming can be supported. The principles behind the ecosystem services idea could allow farmers to be supported if they successfully improve the environment and strengthen nature's benefits to society.

"It's pretty exciting to be involved in this," Swinton said. "For many years, the focus of sustainable agriculture has been on avoiding negatives: water pollution, soil erosion, pesticide residues, etc. In the ecosystem services concept, we're focusing on services that people appreciate and enjoy. Because the amount of land involved in agriculture is so large, we have a strong motivation to provide farmers incentives to support the ecosystem."

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, launched by the United Nations in 2001, defines four broad categories of ecosystem services:

  • Provisioning services are the products from ecosystems, including genetic resources, food and fiber, and fresh water.
  • Regulating services are the benefits people get from the regulation of ecosystem processes, including water supplies, temperature moderation (think how trees around a house keep it cooler in the summer) and some human disease regulation (having enough nutritious food keeps people healthy and reduces diseases such as rickets and scurvy).
  • Cultural services are the non-material benefits people receive from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, reflection, recreation and aesthetic experiences. Put simply, hiking trails, camping areas, a lake to swim or fish in -- all are benefits from nature.
  • Supporting services are ecosystem services that are necessary for all other ecosystem services. Some examples: production of plant materials and microbes that enrich the soil and allow crops and other plants to grow; oxygen production, which makes it possible for humans and animals to breathe; and water cycling, which nourishes plants and animals and refills lakes, streams and reservoirs.

"We know that low-input, sustainable agriculture produces improved water and soil quality, contributes to climate stability and boosts beneficial insect populations, compared with conventional crop production practices," Swinton said. "Now we want to figure out which policies would encourage farmers to provide these ecosystem services, as well as how much citizens are willing to pay for the services."

Agriculture, Food System Study Shows Potential for Job, Industry Growth

Michigan’s economy is facing many challenges, including recent news about factory closings and layoffs in automotive industries and others. But there is some good news in one key sector, according to an analysis by economists with the MSU Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources.

“The Economic Impact and Potential of Michigan’s Agri-Food System” highlights how the agri-food system has the potential for adding nearly $1 billion to the state’s economy if current investment trends continue over the next three to five years.

The paper examines economic contributions from agriculture and related industries, including leather, nursery, turfgrass, ornamental plants and food processing. This total food and fiber system has a $60.1 billion impact each year on the state’s economy.

“This is the first time a study of the economic impact, including investment and future potential of the agri-food system, has been completed,” said Bill Knudson, product marketing economist with the product center. “The idea was to look at areas that show potential for growth, particularly things such as biodiesel, and at all the projects we at the product center are looking at, and then extend forward from that to show what could exist.”

The paper highlights how the state’s agri-food system also employs nearly one quarter (24 percent) of all employed Michiganians. More than 725,000 of these workers are directly employed in the industry; others are employed indirectly in related sectors, such as transportation. Agri-food is the state’s second largest production sector, behind the automotive industry.

“These findings underscore that Michigan’s dynamic agricultural industry -- with its robust capital investment and new technology -- is growing and diversifying our state’s economic base,” said Mitch Irwin, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture, who requested the study. “MSU’s conclusions bode well for Michigan’s future.”

The paper also points to the strong potential for development of a bioenergy industry. Bioenergy includes production of fuels from natural sources, including corn-based ethanol and soybean-based biodiesel, but it also includes electricity generated from wind energy.

Currently, Michigan’s only ethanol plant produces 45 million gallons of ethanol per year, directly adding $64.5 million to the economy. Plans for four additional plants are underway, along with the possibility of a biodiesel facility.

The paper offers two scenarios for potential expansion across the agri-food system, one based on knowledge of current investments in the system and a second based on a more generic pattern of investment. Both show the potential for considerable economic growth -- nearly $1 billion per year over the next three to five years -- and increases in jobs of more than 23,000 annually from direct and indirect sources.

“Certainly all of Michigan’s economy is now facing significant challenges,” said Chris Peterson, director of the product center and the paper’s lead author. Peterson's work is also funded by the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station. “What this paper shows is that, as we look for opportunities to expand and grow industries within our state, we need to be mindful of what we have and the potential for further developing our already strong food, fiber and agricultural production.”

“The Economic Impact and Potential of Michigan’s Agri-Food System” is available online.

The MSU Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources is organized to provide coordinated, universitywide assistance for agriculture, food and natural resource entrepreneurs and managers in improving economic opportunities for Michigan. The center’s mission is to envision, explore and empower a profitable future for businesses and industries engaged in Michigan agricultural, food and natural resources systems.

Groundwater Map Now Available

MSU’s Institute of Water Research (IWR) and Remote Sensing and GIS Research and Outreach Services, funded in part by the MAES, helped the state respond to a 2003 legislative mandate to develop a statewide groundwater inventory and map, now available online.

“Our new knowledge about groundwater from this project is impressive, but there’s still a whole lot more about aquifer relationships and distribution of groundwater supplies we don’t know,” said Jon Bartholic, IWR director. “It’s critical to continue our work to deliver information needed by all segments of the public -- irrigators, utilities, industry and citizens."

MSU partnered with the U.S. Geologic Survey and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality staff members to complete the project.

The state-of-the-art system was praised by Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Chester for meeting all the state's requirements and providing a single Web-based location for all types of groundwater information.

Groundwater and protection of water resources is a major concern to Michigan citizens. Gov. Granholm recently reaffirmed the state’s bipartisan opposition to Great Lakes diversions by signing the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement, which prohibits diversions of Great Lakes water and provides state and provincial management and conservation of Great Lakes Basin water.

MSU’s groundwater inventory and mapping project addressed the eight major areas required by legislation:

  • Location and water-yielding capabilities of aquifers.
  • Aquifer recharge rates.
  • Static groundwater levels.
  • Base flow of rivers and streams.
  • Conflict areas.
  • Surface waters, including designated trout lakes and streams and groundwater-dependent natural resources identified in the natural features inventory.
  • Locations and pumping capacities of industrial or processing facilities, irrigation facilities and public water supply systems.
  • Aggregate agricultural water use and consumptive use.

The new groundwater map shows several regions with minimal yields (less than 10 gallons per minute) from glacial deposits throughout the state, especially in the areas northwest, south and southeast of Saginaw Bay, and in extreme southeastern lower Michigan. Many areas in Delta and Menominee counties (in the Upper Peninsula) also exhibit poor yields from glacial deposits. The minimum well yield for small residential homes is 10 to 15 gallons per minute (gpm), according to industry standards.

High-capacity wells -- capable of producing 70 gpm or more -- are routinely possible throughout much of lower Michigan. Zones of very high yield potential are located in southwestern and south-central lower Michigan, the core of the Thumb (Oakland, Lapeer and southeastern Tuscola counties), the Houghton-Higgins lakes district of northern lower Michigan, and across the northern Lower Peninsula.

MAES Research Sheds New Light on Health Dangers of Nanoparticles

The nose, usually the first line of defense against inhaled airborne particles that could damage the lungs, may itself be susceptible to the dangers of extremely small particles called nanoparticles, which are less than 100 nanometers in size. (One nanometer is one billionth of a meter.)

According to research presented by an MAES researcher at a seminar at the annual American Association for the Advancement of Science conference, combustion-derived nanoparticles, or CDNPs, can collect in the nasal airways and cause a number of ailments, including rhinitis, inflammation of the mucous membranes. The seminar was titled "Nanotechnology 2006: Toxicology of Nanoparticles."

CDNPs are byproducts of coal-fired power plants, waste incinerators and diesel-powered vehicles. They are also created in the production of carbon black, an elemental carbon that is widely used in rubber tires, gaskets, and pigments for paints, plastics and inks.

"This is a concern because carbon black can be found practically anywhere," said Jack Harkema, university distinguished professor and MAES pathobiology and diagnostic investigation scientist, who conducted the research with colleagues from the University of Rochester. "It's found in ink jet printers, car tires -- pretty much anything that is black. However, our primary concern is the potential adverse health effects to people who manufacture large amounts of these CDNPs and are exposed daily to these nanoparticles."

Most of the toxicology studies of inhaled nanoparticles have focused on harmful effects on the lung -- nasal toxicity of nanoparticles had not been previously examined.

"This study was the first to show that inhaled nanoparticles of any sort can cause nasal pathology such as rhinitis, epithelial cell injury, and remodeling of the nasal mucous membranes that may compromise its function for smell and for defending the lung from harmful airborne agents," Harkema said.

In the laboratory, carbon black NPs are often used as surrogates for other CDNPs, such as those found in diesel exhaust, to identify which physical or chemical features of extremely small particles are most responsible for their toxic effects on cells and tissues in the nose and lungs. This knowledge is important for setting occupational and environmental exposure limits to maintain air quality and protect human health.

The fact that the nasal passages could be susceptible to the dangers of such nanoparticles is alarming because the nose, in addition to its smelling duties, serves not only to humidify and warm inhaled air but also to filter it.

"It basically acts as a scrubbing tower, removing inhaled gases, vapors and small airborne particles – including nanoparticles – that may be harmful to the lung," Harkema said. "It turns out that nasal airways may also be targets of toxicity caused by inhaled nanoparticles."

To look into the potential toxicity of the carbon black nanoparticles, Harkema and colleagues exposed laboratory rodents to high levels of the material. They found that rats developed a number of lesions on the surface epithelium, or the lining, of the nasal airways, as well as rhinitis, an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nasal airways. They also found that the smaller the size of the NPs, the more severe the toxic injury to the noses of these exposed rats.

Mice had similar but less severe rhinitis and epithelial lesions, while hamsters developed no rhinitis and only minimal alterations to the nasal epithelium. Why one rodent species is more susceptible to nasal injury than another is not yet known.

Although the effects of inhaled nanoparticles on humans have yet to be determined, "these initial findings in laboratory rodents suggest that our nose, like our lungs, is a potential target organ for toxicity of inhaled NPs," Harkema said.

Planning for Prosperity Summit Offers Grants, Tools to Community Leaders

A regional approach to planning, revitalizing communities, building economic growth, preserving and conserving land, planning healthy communities, designing walkable neighborhoods and improving quality of life is the focus of the 2006 Planning for Prosperity Summit March 27 at the Kellogg Center at MSU.

Organized by the MSU Land Policy Program and the Land Use Summit Planning Committee, this annual statewide forum is aimed at local community leaders, land use stakeholders, community program funders, university faculty members, policy-makers, school personnel and real estate stakeholders, among others.

Local communities are encouraged to sponsor groups (called "prosperity teams") to attend. These groups will be eligible to submit proposals for funding for local community revitalization or other land use projects, education initiatives or workshops. The deadline for submitting funding proposals is March 17. The grants will be awarded at the summit.

Attendees also will receive a "prosperity toolbox" that includes practical planning information and hands-on tools. For more information or to register, visit www.landpolicy.msu.edu.

Local Involvement in Federal Lands Management: Can It Work Nationwide?

Having a say in how the government manages nearby federal lands makes sense to both local residents and federal officials. But the devil is in the details of how this local input is gathered.

Known as adaptive environmental management, the concept is popular in Europe but has been officially attempted only in one location in the United States.

"Adaptive environmental management means there is a commitment to have on-going local community involvement in making and assessing environmental policy," said Daniel Bronstein, MSU professor of community, agriculture, recreation and resource studies. "It's a hot topic right now, but the question has always been whether the government can implement the monitoring that is needed to make it work."

Bronstein moderated a symposium titled "Adaptive Environmental Management: The Valles Caldera Experience" at the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting. The participants examined the adaptive environmental management strategies in place at the Valles Caldera National Preserve, an 89,000-acre federal property in northern New Mexico, as a case study. This is the only formal attempt by the federal government to implement adaptive environmental management.

In the past, top-down management strategies with little local input have caused friction between local residents and federal managers. When gray wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park in 1995, for example, local ranchers feared for their livestock and responded by filing lawsuits and shooting any wolves that strayed outside the park's borders.

"The idea of adaptive environmental management is to get greater local acceptability as the policies are being created," Bronstein explained. "Then, after the policies are implemented, federal monitors continue to assess the ecosystem and public reaction. Management strategies can then be changed as necessary."

Using the Valles Caldera National Preserve as a model, the symposium participants discussed the strategies in place there, as well as tools that can be used to measure the strategies' success and how broad the definition of "local" input should be.

"If the policies used at Valles Caldera are deemed successful, then this could be a template that is applied across the country," Bronstein said.

Natural Resources Education Conference Set for March 4-7

Focusing on all aspects of natural resources education, from recruiting students to creating interdisciplinary programs in environmental science and policy to obtaining a university position, the Sixth Biennial Conference on University Education in Natural Resources, "Natural Resources Education: From Sustainable Campuses to a Sustainable World," will be held at the MSU Union March 4-7.

More than 40 papers, workshops and posters on forestry, wildlife, fisheries and related natural resources management fields will be presented by researchers and students from the United States and Canada.

"The unique feature of this conference is that it focuses just on education, so there are workshops by and for students as well," said Dennis Propst, MAES forestry researcher and one of the conference organizers. "We intentionally timed the conference to coincide with the beginning of ANR Week in the hopes that some people would be able to attend both."

Propst said that though the conference is aimed at faculty members and administrators who are interested in national trends in curricular issues and innovative teaching methods, both graduate and undergraduate students are encouraged to participate.

The conference will follow the standards set by the Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication. For example, registration will be electronic, the use of paper will be minimal, meetings and restaurants will be within walking distance of lodging, and goods purchased for the conference will be environmentally appropriate and locally produced.

To obtain more information or to register, visit the conference Web site.

MAES Researcher Helps Lead Statewide Tourism Strategic Planning Effort

One of Michigan’s core industries, tourism, hopes to play an important part in building Michigan’s future. To strengthen its role in the state’s economy, industry leaders have initiated a process to develop an action plan to grow tourism in Michigan and to create business opportunities and jobs for residents.

The planning effort is being coordinated by a MSU team of tourism and economic development researchers from the Travel, Tourism and Recreation Resource Center and the Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources along with representatives of Travel Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

“Engaging everyone who should be involved in developing a comprehensive plan for such a large and diverse industry is essential for it to be successful but presents a major challenge for the planning team,” said Don Holecek, MAES tourism researcher and director of the Travel, Tourism and Recreation Resource Center. Holecek is leading the MSU team.

Representatives from across the industry will work closely with the MSU/Travel Michigan planning team to set priorities to develop and implement growth strategies once the plan is drafted. Funding for the project comes from donations from a cross-section of the industry.

Information about the project will be featured on the strategic planning Web site.

Biosecurity Web Site Available

The National Biosecurity Resource Center for Animal Health Emergencies’ new Web site is up and running. The site offers information on carcass disposal and state regulations for reporting animal diseases. It also offers a searchable database for information on disinfectants, as well as informational papers on current issues, such as avian influenza (bird flu).

Coe Appointed to Agriculture Commission

Donald Coe, of Traverse City, managing partner of Black Star Farms, was appointed by Gov. Granholm to the Commission of Agriculture. Coe represents independents for a term expiring December 31, 2009.

Coe also serves as president of the Leelanau County Economic Development Corporation and is a former member of the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council. In 1998, Coe created an “agriculture destination” by turning a dormant horse farm into what is now known as Black Star Farms, a winery that also has a bed and breakfast, orchards and vineyards attracting more than 60,000 people annually.

C. Gerald "Jerry" Haarer Left Agricultural Legacy at MSU

Jerry Haarer, 71, the first director of the Land Management Office at Michigan State University, peacefully passed away in the company of his wife and children, in Naples, Fla. on Feb. 17.

Mr. Haarer's prodigious contributions to Michigan agriculture and to MSU ensure that he will be remembered as a true visionary. He was a man of great humility who, throughout his 21 years at MSU, earned a reputation for unimpeachable integrity and institutional loyalty. Mr. Haarer was the consummate team player -- a man who embodied the land-grant ethos not only in his work, but in the manner in which he conducted his entire life. His outstanding legacy will endure for decades to come.

Mr. Haarer pushed for and oversaw the construction of the MSU Pavilion, which opened in 1997. The massive building at Farm Lane and Mount Hope Road, built for $14.5 million, is now a staple of Spartan life, hosting hundreds of rodeos, shows, auctions and tournaments each year.

He also enhanced the university's off-campus properties and facilities. As land management director, Mr. Haarer was in charge of research facilities at 44 sites encompassing more than 20,000 acres in 28 counties.

Mr. Haarer came to Lansing to study at MSU, where he was a member of the livestock judging team, after graduating from Saline High School in 1952. In 1957, he started a small meat processing plant with his father and brother. He later formed Mahogany Farms, which developed into Premier Cattle Corp., and then Manor Hill Farms, featuring an Angus cattle breeding program and Arabian horses. He became the first land management director at MSU in 1979.

"Jerry's great impact was that he saw each of the MSU locations as a reflection of the university," said Roger Wilkinson, the former MSU vice president of finance, who worked with Mr. Haarer for 12 years. "He had a major responsibility and was a wonderful man to work with."

According to the Haarer family, people wishing to do so may make memorial contributions to the Livestock Industry Scholarship Fund in memory of C. Gerald Haarer. Memorial contributions may be sent to John Shelle, Animal Science Department, 1250 Anthony Hall, MSU, East Lansing, MI 48824.
Last Updated: January 16, 2007
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