On Farm Sustainability: A Poultry Growers Perspective Arthur Halterman Baker, West Virginia

Watershed Facts Lost River – Native Trout Stream Lost River becomes “lost” near Wardensville, WV Resurfaces in Wardensville about 3 miles away Drains to Chesapeake Bay Largest poultry producing watershed in State

History of Family on Farm Family ownership of the farm – 1932 Grandfather raised poultry, cattle, sheep & hogs Father began farm operations in 1952 I began operating the farm in 1986

History of Poultry on Farm Grandfather started as an independent poultry grower, then began raising birds for Shawnee Milling Co of Petersburg, WV. Father started out with broilers. Switched to turkeys with Shawnee and then with Rockingham, Rocco and WLR. Hauled birds out of area to be processed.

My Role on the Farm Raised broilers for Rocco while in college After taking over farm, I brooded range turkeys for Rocco In 1991, I began rising breeders for WLR- now Pilgrim’s Pride

Current Operation Overview Raise 15,000 breeders in 2 houses 70 head of beef cattle 140 acres of grassland 190 acres woodland 7 acres of riparian area and wetlands

Community Involvement 2008 US Egg and Poultry Association Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award 2006 WV Poultry Association Environmental Award Winner 2003 Recipient of WV Primary Environmental Educator Member of WV Farm Bureau and WV Poultry Association Active Ruritan and Parks Commissioner

Environmental Practices One of first producers to sign up for Potomac Land Treatment Watershed Project (PL-534) Litter shed & composter Partnership between federal, state and local governments to make water quality improvements to the land within the Potomac River Drainage Installed Litter Shed Composter Nutrient management

Potomac Headwaters Land Treatment Watershed Project (PL534) Over 85 percent of poultry producers participated- 14.M on the ground for improvements 10 Year Project completely voluntary participation addressing nutrients within Potomac Valley Special allocation of money though legislation Focused on manure and nutrients from livestock operations

PL-534 Accomplishments $14 M dollars worth of agricultural improvements on over 300 ag operations Nutrient management, waste storage, buffers, relocation of livestock feeding areas

Halterman Voluntary Practices Maintaining manure spreader calibration Preserving riparian buffers in hay fields Sustaining practices from past programs Integrated Pest Management Storm water management around poultry houses

CREP Signed up for CREP in 2005 3840 Feet of stream bank fencing Planted 850 trees Partnered with US Fish and Wildlife partners for Wildlife to install 5.2 acres of riparian buffer ½ mile of stream bank protected ½ acre riparian tree planting Partnering with Cacapon Institute to monitor and perform research on low cost deer fence project Using NRCS technical assistiance

Environmental Practices are Important Commitment to lifelong teaching about agriculture and the environment Goal is to leave land in better condition for next generation Showing others that farmers are committed to protecting the environment will help guard the farming community from future regulations There can be a partnership between the agricultural and environmental community Started out with division fencing, ponds,

Future Practices Looking at alternative energy such as solar or wind Working to coordinate voluntary buffers on 7,300 linear feet of small stream in Baker community Designating 7 acres of streamside property to be used as “outdoor classroom” for schools and community to promote environmental education

Baker Run Conservation Society Founded one of the first watershed associations in the State of WV Currently serving as President of this group Partnering with many groups to bring educational opportunities and make environmental improvements within the watershed School- trails- campus Baker Park

Chesapeake Bay and WV Farmers Local farmers were involved in the Chesapeake Bay program and working in developing the local tributary strategies Farmers are willing to improve local watersheds which consequently improve the Bay Local improvement will impact downstream……

Keys to Success Education is key to sustainability Regulation is not the answer More cost share is needed Programs need flexibility Farmers need to participate in programs Practices not only help environment but also improve farm production

Agriculture and the Environment Do Work Together!