07/13/05 Field burning, part two

The state is gearing up for the burning season in ten north Idaho counties where bluegrass seed production requires it. Sherm Takatori coordinates the burning program for the Idaho Department of Agriculture and he's calling critics of the burning to take a different tact instead of filing lawsuits. TAKATORI "Try to step up to the plate with us. The universities could welcome additional funding. The growers have given countless dollars in funding. They should probably try to do the same thing and give some funding to help us develop some alternatives." Takatori believes that the farmers in north Idaho care more for the environment than they're give credit for and that their farms aren't just a job but a way of life. TAKATORI -"I mean let's face it. Whatever they do to the land is pretty darned good for the entire community. If we take a look at for instance the Rathdrum one of the biggest issues out there is the rapid decrease of that prairie area and being swallowed up by development." Takatori says they're learning more about managed burning each year while trying to improve on a system that prevents smoke from drifting onto and over populated areas. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott