Attendees were: Roselina Angel, Todd Applegate, Brent Auvermann, Dwaine Bundy, Gary Cromwell, Jessica Davis, Gerald Evers, Joe Fontenot, Ted Funk, Wayne Green, Richard Hegg, Robert Hubbard, Larry Jacobson, K. G. Karthikeyan, Harold Keener, Ron Lacewell, Deanne Meyer, Ron Miner, Larry Newton, Matt Poach, Wendy Powers, Tim Stanton, Steven Trabue, Robert von Bermuth, Phil Westerman, P. Y. Yang, Ruihong Zhang, Jun Zhu, and visitors (Roger Dean and John Larson of US EPA, Denver; Janice Ward of USGS, Denver).

The meeting was called to order by Chair, Larry Jacobson, at 8:00 am 9/24.  Self introduction of all attendees followed.  Welcome was given by Bill Wailes, Interim Dept. Head of Animal Science at Colorado St. University.  He said that he appreciates the good science that this group provides, and that we will continue to need to respond to challenges to provide science for important environmental issues.  Comments were then given by S-1000 Administrative Advisor Ron Lacewell regarding our continued need to address critical issues such as air quality and ammonia emissions, and to emphasize our accomplishments each year.  CSREES Representative Richard Hegg then discussed national funding programs and priorities, the need to have national coordination of animal waste management programs and a draft proposal of how this might occur, and that EPA is trying to identify research needs related to CAFO rules. Marc Johnson, Vice Provost of Agriculture and Outreach, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Colorado St. University then discussed how we are dealing with an important set of issues that have increasing new challenges affected by animal welfare, environmental management, pathogen concerns, and economic issues of externalities.  Deanne Meyer then proposed a general format for next year’s meeting for the group to be thinking about.  She proposed holding the meeting in Washington, D. C. and inviting representatives from various agencies to have information exchange.  The remainder of the day included station reports and two invited presentations from Colorado St. University faculty: (1) Antibiotics in manure and lagoons by Ken Carlson, and (2) Evaluation of an electronic nose for characterizing agricultural odor by Steve Reynolds.

The second day, 9/25, included the business meeting, station reports, a presentation on “Permitting Challenges with CAFO’s” by Tom Haren of AgPro, LLC, and a tour of ARDEC facilities.

Minutes of Business Meeting:
Chair Larry Jacobson called the business meeting to order at 8:00 am.  Phil Westerman, Secretary, discussed the two web sites for S-1000 (the NIMSS system web site located at http://www.lgu.umd.edu and the S-1000 site http://www.ag.auburn.edu/aaes/s1000/ housed at Auburn University and managed by Wes Wood), and the importance of sending electronic reports to Westerman soon emphasizing accomplishments, impacts, and publications since the last report.  The S-1000 annual progress report is due within 60 days of the annual meeting.

Election of Secretary:  The nomination committee of Powers, Meyer, and Funk nominated Brent Auvermann, who was elected.  The new officers are:  Chair – Deanne Meyer, Vice-Chair – Phil Westerman, and Secretary – Brent Auvermann.

2004 Meeting:  After some discussion about the 2004 meeting, Brent Auvermann moved that the chair establish a sub-committee to plan the 2004 meeting for Washington, D. C.  The motion was seconded and passed.  The planning committee consists of Co-chairs Larry Jacobson and Deanne Meyer, and members Brent Auvermann, Wendy Powers, Harold Keener, Gerald Evers, and Phil Westerman (added 9/29/03).

Gratitude was extended to the hosts of our meeting, Tim Stanton and Jessica Davis.

Tour:  On 9/26, our hosts provided tour to view an anaerobic digestion system at one dairy, and solids separator and overall waste management system at another dairy.