On the Farm

Delaware State Officials Laud Nutrient Management Progress

April 30 members of the State of Delaware's governmental, educational and business entities held a Nutrient Management progress meeting at the Clark Poultry Farm in Clayton, Delaware. The Mountaire farm was a perfect site for the event, hosted by the  State of Delaware, Michael Scuse, Secretary of Agriculture; with opening remarks from Bill Vanderwende, Chairman, Delaware Nutrient Management Commission; updated reports from Bill Roher, program administrator; DDA Nutrient Management Section; John Hughes, Secretary Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control; Bill Massey, Director of Housing, Mountaire Farms Inc; University of Delaware experts, Jan Seitz Associate Dean College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Director of Cooperative Extension; William Saylor, Ph.D. Profession of Poultry Nutrition; Dave Hensen, Phd.D. Associate Professor of Soil and Environmental Quality cooperative Extension Ag Program Leader and Tom Sims, Ph.D. Associate Dean of Academic Programs and Research Professor of Soil and Environmental Chemistry.

For the past year Mountaire has been working on a program they call Farm Environmental Assessments. Flock supervisors were trained by Mountaire and the DE Nutrient Management Program along with representatives of the Maryland and Virginia respective environmental resource group. When the training was completed, the Flock supervisors along with the growers did environmental assessments of the growers poultry ioperation. The intent, to helpthe grower become organized, structured and ware of the issues pertaining to certification, reporting, record keeping and manure handling practices. To offer stewardship of the environment.

Mountaire has completed environmental assessments on all of their farms and it is a continuing process.

 

The Milford Church of God, Milford, Delaware Choir took first place honors at the Mountaire Communion of Choirs Saturday, April 26, and were awarded $8,000 in prize money.

John W. Thompson, composer, publisher and media producer, from New York and Nashville, Tennessee, led a combined group of choirs singing his "song of the year", Sanctuary at the conclusion of the Mountaire Community of Choirs completion held at Trinity United Methodist Church, in Salisbury, Maryland. Twenty Choirs competed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 24-25-26. Mr Thompson was one of the five judges during the competition won by Milford Church of God, awarded ($8,000); Asbury United Methodist Church, Salisbury, MD; awarded($6,500); Holy Commandement Church of God, Fruitland, Maryland, awarded ($5,000). There was a four-way-tie for fourth place; Calvery Baltist Church, Dover, DE; Celebration Choir of Christ UMC, Salisbury, MD; Easton Church of God Choir, Easton, MD; and Lighthouse Christian Center, Milford DE.

Mountaire Grower Recipient of

Environmental Stewardship Award

Scott Peterman named 2007 Environmental Steward

 

The 2007 Environmental Steward was recognized before an audience of his peers during an award ceremony at the Delaware Agricultural Week events at the State Fairgrounds in Harrington, Delaware.  Scott Peterman, grower from the Milford area, received the award.  Peterman, who grows poultry for Mountaire Farms of Delaware, received a lane sign, plaque, and a cash award of $1,000.  Representative Bob Walls from the 33^rd Representative District presented Peterman with a Tribute from the Delaware House of Representatives.

At the ceremony, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control was recognized for their on-going contribution and assistance to Delaware's Nutrient Management Program. 

Each year since 2001, the Delaware Nutrient Management Commission (Commission) and the Delmarva poultry companies recognize a farmer or farmers whose stewardship and general farm practices contribute to the preservation of the environment, water quality, and overall farmland.  The Commission, Allen Family Foods, Mountaire Farms of Delaware, and Perdue Farms implement the program that is funded by the poultry companies operating in Delaware and other agri-businesses.

A judging team visited all nominated farms and selected the winner.  The team consisted of representatives from the poultry companies, University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA),  and conservation organizations.  The following criteria were considered for the award:

§    General nature of the farming operation;

§    Manure and mortality management;

§    Best management practices;

§    Farm management, innovation, biodiversity and wildlife management;

§    Off-farm agricultural related activities;

§    Aesthetics;

§    Community involvement;

§    Other environmental and agricultural awards.

Carl Solberg, Nutrient Management Commissioner, said, "Congratulations to Scott Peterman.  He is an excellent example of the commitment and dedication of Delaware farmers to their environment, quality of life and way of life.  I also want to thank the poultry companies and the Delaware Maryland Agri-Business Association for funding this year's award."

Michael Scuse, Secretary of Agriculture, said, "I am very pleased that the Commission and the poultry companies decided to recognize DNREC's role in Delaware's nationally recognized nutrient management program.  DNREC and DDA have had, and continue to have, an excellent working relationship that has allowed us to accomplish much for Delaware's environment and quality of life."       

The Delaware Nutrient Management Commission recognized Scott Peterman for his environmental stewardship in nutrient management.

Since the purchase of the poultry farm in 1996, Scott has implemented practices to enhance the farm's visual appearance and also to minimize odors in the surrounding area.  In 2003, five hundred Leland Cypress trees were planted around Scott's poultry facilities as a beautification effort and to help filter odors to the surrounding neighbors.

Scott Peterman obtained his Nutrient Generator certification in early 2002.  In addition to the Leland Cypress planting, drainage swales have been constructed around the poultry facilities and line with grasses in order to absorb any nutrient runoff.  All poultry mortality is composted in an approved 40' X 60' manure shed/composter.  All manure and compost are taken and used by a certified Private Nutrient Handler on cropland, which is rented out and planted to corn, soybeans, and winter wheat.  These Best Management Practices protect surrounding areas from nutrient runoff.

The Petermans are strong advocates of wildlife preservation.  In the winter months, when food for wildlife is scarce, salt licks and corn are provided for the deer herd as well as for approximately 35 wild turkeys.  Nut bearing trees have been planted to provide food for squirrels.  A forest environment is maintained with underbrush that provides shelter for wildlife including rabbits, fox, raccoon, and squirrel.

The Petermans are proud of their farming operation and take pride in the stewardship practices that have been implemented.

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control:

The Delaware Nutrient Management Commission recognized DNREC as an agency that has been a significant partner with DDA and the Commission in implementing nutrient management strategies.  The DNREC Office of the Secretary has been actively engaged since program inception.  The DNREC cabinet secretary serves as an ex-officio member while coordinating any resources and providing valuable direction and advice. 

The Division f Soil and Water, within DNREC, continues to be instrumental as a funding partner and overlapping programs such as conservation district operations, sediment and storm water control and tax ditch management.  The relocation projects managed within the Nutrient Management Program is partially funded by the Division's Non Point Source Program.  They fund $200,000, or approximately 25% of the total Non Point Source Program.  The Division funds $200,000 or approximately 25% of the total relocation budget.

The Division of Water Resources has partnered with the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) and the Commission in developing and implementing the State Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Program.  Delaware is one of approximately five states where an NPDES CAFO program is managed within the Agriculture Department.  While many outsiders question the integrity of a CAFO program within the State Agriculture Department, DNREC recognized results and supported the unique Delaware structure. The Division of Water Resources worked closely with the Commission in developing agricultural nutrient reduction goals as part of a court mandated Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program.

DNREC is an essential partner (nest to farmers) in the overall implementation of Nutrient Management Law.