Abstract. Particulate-matter (PM) emissions from a typical spring agricultural tillage sequence and a strip-till conservation tillage sequence in California's San Joaquin Valley were estimated to calculate the emissions control efficiency (η) of the strip-till conservation management practice (CMP). Filter-based PM samplers, PM-calibrated optical particle counters (OPCs), and a PM-calibrated light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system were used to monitored upwind and downwind PM concentrations during May and June 2008. Emission rates were estimated through inverse modeling coupled with the filter and OPC measurements and through applying a mass balance to the PM concentrations derived from LIDAR data. Sampling irregularities and errors prevented the estimation of emissions from 42% of the sample periods based on filter samples. OPC and LIDAR datasets were sufficiently complete to estimate emissions and the strip-till CMP η, which were ∼90% for all size fractions in both datasets. Tillage time was also reduced by 84%. Calculated emissions for some operations were within the range of values found in published studies, while other estimates were significantly higher than literature values. The results demonstrate that both PM emissions and tillage time may be reduced by an order of magnitude through the use of a strip-till conservation tillage CMP when compared to spring tillage activities.

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New technologies and innovation open the door to exciting products and practices. As companies explore the possibilities of what can be, they often fail to consider what should be. Advancement often occurs rapidly and legal and policy guidance lags behind leaving a void of clear direction. Companies often interpret this void as giving permission to proceed with the new technology or practice. In some situations, strong customer or public reaction indicates that the technology or practice crosses the line of what is acceptable. This paper explores how the most innovative firms are navigating through an inconsistent, even conflicting, ethical and legal global landscape and calls for the intentional identification of relevant social norms and development of laws to fill the policy vacuum.

As the 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) Mission Mandate unfolds, robotics provides an opportunity to involve youth in SET activities. Utah 4-H utilized Lego Mindstorms Robotics kits to teach youth about robotics. Evaluations demonstrated that robots increase youth's interest in science, engineering and technology.