SKANEATELES -- A Skaneateles farm has been selected to participate in the first nationwide study of air emissions from dairy, poultry and swine farms.

Over the next two years, researchers will monitor several air quality measures -- from volatile organic compounds to hydrogen sulfide -- at Twin Birch Dairy, a family farm on Lacy Road with 2,050 cattle and more than 2,500 acres of land. It is just one of a handful of farms taking part in the program and the only one in New York state.

"It's kind of our contribution to the dairy industry," Twin Birch owner Dirk Young said Thursday during the kick-off event, which was attended by Stephen Johnson, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "We also want to be perceived as a good neighbor, be an asset to the environment."

The $14.6 million National Air Emissions Monitoring Study is being funded by the National Milk Producers Federation, National Pork Board, United Egg Producers and National Chicken Council via a nonprofit called the Agricultural Air Research Council. It will be overseen by the EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards and led by Purdue University.

For information on the program, read Friday's edition of The Citizen.