Pork producers have a long-standing record of environmental stewardship. To recognize some of the top environmental management programs in the U.S. swine industry, National Hog Farmer and Pork Checkoff annually join forces to recognize pork producers and managers who exemplify outstanding manure nutrient management and innovation, wildlife preservation and community service.

This is the 15th year of the Pork Industry Environmental Steward Award Program, launched to showcase pork producers with all types and sizes of production systems, who demonstrate a positive stewardship of the natural environment in and surrounding their production sites.

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.

Areas of Evaluation

Nominations are now open for the class of 2009 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 to be recognized nationally.

Nominations will be evaluated in eight key areas:

• General farm background and pork production details;
• Manure/nutrient management;
• Soil and water conservation practices;
• Air quality technologies and odor control management strategies;
• Farm aesthetics, public and neighbor relations and community service;
• Wildlife habitat management;
• Environmental management innovations; and
• A short essay presenting 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 and 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 must focus 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, 2009 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. Or, you may 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, 2009.