Pork producers have a long-standing record of conscientious environmental stewardship. In an effort to recognize some of the top environmental management programs in the U.S. swine industry, National Hog Farmer and the National Pork Board developed a program to annually recognize pork producers who exemplify outstanding environmental management.

The “Pork Industry Environmental Steward Award Program” recognizes pork producers with all types and sizes of production systems who demonstrate a positive stewardship of our natural environment.

This is the 14th year of the Environmental Steward program, launched to showcase producers who are doing an outstanding job of incorporating sound environmental practices into their pork production systems.

Through this program, the pork industry in general, and pork producers individually, have provided a greater public awareness and appreciation for pork producers' conscientious environmental management. Additionally, this program has reinforced to the nation's policymakers and the general news media that pork producers are committed to protecting the environment and our valuable natural resources.

Download the Environmental Stewards Application Here

Areas of Evaluation

Nominations are now open for the class of 2008 Environmental Stewards. A national selection committee, comprised of pork producers and various pork industry and natural resource organizations, will review all nominations and select four for national recognition.

Nominations will be evaluated in eight key areas:

• General farm production and background;

• Manure/nutrient management;

• Soil and water conservation practices;

• Air quality technologies and odor control management strategies;

• Farm aesthetics and public and neighbor relations;

• Wildlife habitat management;

• Adoption of innovative ideas; and

• A short essay describing the nominee's view of environmental stewardship.

Open to All

Since 1995, Pork Industry Environmental Steward award winners have represented family-owned-and-operated farms, management teams working within an integrated production system and contract producers.

Pork producers can apply or be nominated for this award by Extension agents, veterinarians or other industry-related professionals. A nomination should be focused on a single production site, outlining the owner's and/or manager's diligence and expertise in applying their environmental management program.

Each farm selected for this award will be featured in a special report published in the Sept. 15, 2008 issue of National Hog Farmer. Winners will also be recognized during Pork Industry Forum held in March the following year.

Additional information and an easy-to-use nomination form are available on the sponsors' Web sites: www.pork.org or www.nationalhogfarmer.com. You may also call the National Pork Board at (800) 456-7675 or write: National Pork Board, Box 9114, Des Moines, IA 50306.

Send nominations to: National Pork Board, Attention: Pork Industry Environmental Steward Award Program, Box 9114, Des Moines, IA 50306-9620. Nominations must be postmarked by March 31, 2008.