Pork Checkoff Announces 2012 Pork Industry Environmental Stewards
The Pork Checkoff, along with its cosponsor, National Hog Farmer magazine, has selected four pork farms to be honored as the 2012 Pork Industry Environmental Stewards. The award, now in its 18th year, recognizes producers who demonstrate a firm commitment to safeguarding the environment and their local communities.
This year's award recipients are:
• Future View Farm, Willow Street, Pa.
• Trail’s End Sow Farm, Ames, Okla.
• Reed Family Farms, Ottumwa, Iowa
• Dahl Family Farm, Dawson, Minn.
The Environmental Steward award winners were selected by a panel represented by pork producers and environmental organizations. The committee reviewed applications from pork producers who are committed to upholding the ideal relationship between pork production and the environment. The applicants’ farms were evaluated on their manure management systems, water and soil conservation practices, odor-control strategies, farm aesthetics and neighbor relations, wildlife habitat promotion, innovative ideas used to protect the environment and an essay on environmental stewardship.
"Once again, the winners of this prestigious award consist of yet another great group of pork producers," said Lynn Harrison, chair of the Environmental Stewards selection subcommittee and former president of the National Pork Board. "The 2012 Stewards are real-world examples of how farmers who produce pork demonstrate the We Care principles every day as natural protectors of the environment and as good neighbors in their communities."
The award recipients will receive the recognition of their peers at the 2013 National Pork Industry Forum next March in Orlando, Fla.
The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold. Importers of pork products contribute a like amount, based on a formula. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, technology, swine health, pork safety and environmental management. For information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675 or check the Internet at www.pork.org.
Source: Porkcheckoff