Shoemaker Farm Recognized for Environmental Excellence 

The Shoemaker Farm in Burlington, W.Va., was one of six farms from across the United States to receive the Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award during the 2011 International Poultry Expo in Atlanta, Ga.

U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, founded in 1947 and based in Tucker, Ga., sponsors the annual awards to recognize exemplary environmental stewardship by family farmers engaged in poultry and egg production. Gary Cooper, 2011 chairman of the board of U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, and vice president and chief operating officer of Cooper Farms in Oakwood, Oh., presented the award to the Shoemaker family.

“I applaud the Shoemakers for their great work protecting the environment while producing the food that feeds America and the world,” said West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass. “They are one of a number of West Virginia farms that have received this award in recent years, which shows the dedication our state’s farmers have to safeguarding our natural resources.”

Applicants were rated in several categories, including dry litter or liquid manure management, nutrient management planning, community involvement, wildlife enhancement techniques, innovative nutrient management techniques, and participation in education and outreach programs.

Applications were reviewed and farm visits conducted by a team of environmental professionals from universities, regulatory agencies, and state trade associations in selecting national winners in six regions.

Shoemaker Farm is owned and operated by mother and son Carole and Tim Shoemaker. The 172-acre farm is a third-generation, family-run operation with 40 cow-calf pairs and two broiler houses that produce more than 650,000 birds annually for Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation.

Shoemaker Farm utilizes a nutrient management plan for applying litter to their land, along with a composter for chicken mortality. Rainwater is diverted from the roofs of the chicken houses and other buildings through grass buffers to help prevent sediment and nutrients from reaching surrounding streams.

The family has dedicated 18 acres of forested woodland as a protected sanctuary for wildlife. Shoemaker Farms practices energy conservation on a daily basis. The farm is using cold cathode lighting to install radiant heat, resulting in a 30 percent fuel savings. In addition, an EPA emission-compliant generator has been installed for backup use.

U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is an all-feather organization representing the complete spectrum of today’s poultry industry, with a focus on serving member companies through research funding, education, communication, and technical assistance.

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