Pork producers have a long-standing record of conscientious environmental stewardship. To recognize that commitment to manage their modern pork production systems in harmony with our natural resources, National Hog Farmer and the National Pork Board developed a program to recognize exemplary environmental management programs.
This is the 12th year of the Environmental Stewards of the Pork Industry recognition program, launched to showcase pork producers who are doing an outstanding job of incorporating state-of-the-art environmental and nutrient management programs into their pork production systems.
Through this program, the pork industry has gained 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 commited to protecting the environment and our valuable natural resources.
Nominations are now open for the class of 2006 Environmental Stewards. A national selection committee comprised of pork producers and environmental experts will review all nominations and select four for national recognition.
Nominations will be evaluated in eight 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 neighbor relations;
Wildlife habitat management;
Adoption of innovative ideas; and
A short essay describing the nominee's view of environmental stewardship.
This recognition program is open to production systems of all types and sizes. Since 1995, winners have represented family-owned-and-operated farms, management teams working within an integrated system and contract producers.
Pork producers can apply or be nominated by Extension agents, veterinarians or others. 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.
Winners will receive a special plaque, an expense-paid trip to the awards ceremony and a $1,000 cash honorarium. In addition, each environmental steward's farm will be featured in a special report published in the September 2006 issue of National Hog Farmer.
Additional information and an easy-to-use nomination form are available on the sponsors' Web sites: www.pork.org or www.nationalhogfarmer.com (click on the Environmental Stewards banner). Nomination forms may also be requested by calling Allan Stokes, National Pork Board, (800) 456-7675, or Dale Miller, National Hog Farmer, (800) 722-5334.
Send nominations to: National Pork Board, Attention: Environmental Stewards, P.O. Box 9114, Des Moines, IA 50306-9620. Nominations must be postmarked by March 31, 2006.