Michael and Heather Lewis Farm of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania.,was one of six farms across the United States to receive U.S. Poultry & Egg Association’s Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award during the 2020International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta. U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) sponsors the annual awards in recognition of exemplary environmental stewardship by family farmers engaged in poultry and egg production.
Applicants were rated in several categories, including 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 poultry associations.
Michael and Heather Lewis, along with their three young children, own and operate their crop and poultry farm in Lancaster County, located in south central Pennsylvania. The Lewis family raises broiler chickens for Tyson Foods. Though the Lancaster area has a rich and lengthy agricultural history, the Lewis family is a new addition to this history, having purchased their farm in 2010. As Mike was born into the farming industry, they were anxious to start their own farm and are determined to leave a lasting legacy by expanding it and creating a sustainable operation that can last for generations.
As they build their farm, the Lewis family has ensured that every step they take is done carefully and responsibly. They have worked with engineers to create a farm specific nutrient management plan, which they follow closely, sending soil sample reports to Lancaster County on a regular basis to ensure they are up to standard. Their use of a crop rotation system, which includes no-till farming and the use of cover crops, prevents nutrient loss and soil erosion. The litter from their poultry houses is windrowed and recycled between each flock, and the remaining manure is used to fertilize cover crops or sold to local farmers.
Though relatively new to the area, the Lewis family and their children have immersed themselves in their local community. Their children are actively involved in local 4-H groups, and Michael and Heather have participated in their local school district’s “Ag in the Classroom” program, assisting neighboring farmers with educational opportunities on and off their farms. They are members of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and have participated in local classrooms during National Ag Literacy Week and various Junior Achievement programs. In 2016, the Lewis family farm was able to serve as a host to an EDC Finance and Ag Tour, providing their guests with an inside view of the agricultural industry they support.
The Lewis family views their involvement in agriculture and the poultry industry as a privilege that must be protected, managing their resources carefully so they are able to preserve those resources for the next generation of farmers. “Our goal is not to just sustain this farm and the land for future generations, but by the practices we are implementing now, we hope to leave it better for tomorrow than it is today,” said Michael.
Mike Levengood, vice president, Chief Animal Care Officer and Farmer Relationship Advocate for Perdue Foods and vice chairman of the USPOULTRY board of directors, presented the award to Michael and Heather Lewis.
