K-State agronomy professor named to USDA air quality task force

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Source: Chuck Rice, 785-532-7217, cwrice@k-state.edu
http://www.mediarelations.k-state.edu/WEB/News/MediaGuide/cricebio.html
News release prepared by: Steve Watson, 785-532-7105, swatson@k-state.edu

Friday, November 3, 2006

K-STATE AGRONOMY PROFESSOR NAMED TO USDA AIR QUALITY TASK FORCE

MANHATTAN -- Chuck Rice, professor of agronomy at Kansas State University, has been selected by Mike Johanns, U.S. agriculture secretary, to serve as a member of the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force.

Rice will serve a two-year term, ending Sept. 30, 2008.

The task force has 29 members from 16 states. Members are noted scientists and experts in agriculture, industry, health and science, according to Johanns.

Rice has conducted long-term research on soil organic dynamics, nitrogen transformations and microbial ecology. In recent years he has broadened his research to include the process of carbon sequestration and its potential benefits to the ecosystem.

The task force advises the secretary of agriculture on air quality issues. Its mandate is to strengthen and coordinate the U.S. Department of Agriculture's air quality research efforts, and identify cost-effective ways to help the agriculture industry improve air quality and meet federal and local air quality emissions requirements.

"The 2006-2008 task force will tackle diverse air quality issues such as carbon sequestration, the reduction of criteria pollutants, ozone and ammonia emissions, greenhouse gases, and the enhancement of opportunities for environmental trading markets for agriculture," Rice said. "These are all issues of increasing concern to the general public in Kansas and elsewhere."