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USDA and environ/farm research - new bldg/reorg (fwd)

:
Lawrence F. London, Jr., Venaura Farm, Chapel Hill, NC USA 
mailto:london@sunSITE.unc.edu - http://sunSITE.unc.edu/InterGarden
Organic Agriculture-Farmscaping-CSA-Permaculture-Renewable Energy Information
:
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: 30 Oct 96 17:26:37 EST
From: Patricia Dines <73652.1202@compuserve.com>
To: BlindCopyReceiver:  ;
Subject: USDA and environ/farm research - new bldg/reorg

For your info - Tricia Dines

--- Forward ---
From: Don Comis, INTERNET:dcomis@asrr.arsusda.gov
To: Patricia Dines, 73652,1202
Date: Wed, Oct 30, 1996, 6:23 AM
Subject: Press Release on Dedication of Renovated Natural Resources Facility at
Beltsville

Sender: owner-enviro-news@warp.nal.usda.gov
To: "'enviro-news@nal.usda.gov'" <enviro-news@nal.usda.gov>

RESEARCH NEWS
<Not sure if this title is correct; was scrambled in original>

United States Department of Agriculture  
Agricultural Research Service  
Information Staff                           
6303 Ivy Lane Greenbelt, Maryland   20770-1433             
                                                 
                                                                         
Don Comis
(301) 344-2748
E-mail: dcomis@asrr.arsusda.gov

THIRD BUILDING RENOVATED AT BELTSVILLE AGRICULTURAL CENTER
        BELTSVILLE, Md., Oct. 29--A newly renovated research facility focusing 
on environmental issues such as the Chesapeake Bay cleanup will be 
dedicated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 31, at the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture's Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC).
        After presentations in the auditorium of Bldg. 003,  a ribbon-cutting
ceremony will be held at the refurbished Bldg. 001 housing some of the
Center's Natural Resources Institute and Plant Sciences Institute laboratories.
Guided tours will follow.
        "We will group together those labs concentrating on ways to keep
fertilizer and pesticides out of the Chesapeake Bay," BARC director
Darwin Murrell said.  "Also, the building will house state-of-the-art
instruments such as the analytical equipment that detects pesticide
residues in fruits and vegetables," he added.  
        The renovation  is a second  milestone in BARC's 10-year modernization
plan begun in 1988.  In 1992, the center dedicated two other upgraded
buildings, the Administration Bldg. 003 and another for Natural
Resources Institute laboratories.
        "Building 001 was completely gutted and transformed from a 1940's
vintage building to a facility that meets today's OSHA safety standards," said
Murrell.  "It will have computerized plant growth rooms and very specialized
labs."
        The building will primarily house the Environmental Chemistry,  Soil
Microbial Systems and Weed Science laboratories, consolidating 
scientists who collaborate on projects such as the one on sustainable 
agriculture.  This project, begun in 1993, is aimed at finding farming 
techniques that better protect air, soil and water quality, including 
that of the Chesapeake Bay area.
        Scientists in the three labs, which include chemists, microbiologists 
and weed researchers,  also coordinate research in other programs such 
as:

        o   The development of  composts from urban, rural and industrial
wastes, including drywall and wood scraps from construction sites.

        o   The cleanup of sites contaminated by toxic metals and organics. 
This includes "green remediation" or the use of plants to clean soils.

        Murrell said that consolidating the scientists will result in cost
savings from shared equipment and other efficiencies in research
operations.  "It will enable them to collaborate more effectively on
environmental and sustainable agricultural research projects," he said.

        USDA officials, Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, Md., and guests will attend the
opening.

        Started in 1910, the center has the largest number of agricultural
researchers in the country.  With 800 scientists and technicians and a
total of 1,500 employees, BARC is "known worldwide for the diversity of
its research and scientific accomplishments," Murrell said.

#

NOTE TO EDITORS:  For more information, contact Darwin Murrell, Area
Director, (301) 504-6078; fax (301) 504-5863; e-mail: murrellk@ars.usda.gov.

Directions:  From the Beltway (495), take Exit 25, Route 1 North.  Go 0.2 mile,
then right--before first traffic light--toward 14-story National Agricultural
Library.  At stop sign, go left, straight through light across Route 1.
Following signs, take immediate right on Circle Drive to Building 003.