Three Sanderson Farms family farmers in Texas, Mississippi and North Carolina have been recognized by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association’s Family Farm Environmental Excellence Awards at the International Production & Processing Expo. The awards are given annually to recognize exemplary environmental stewardship by family farmers engaged in poultry and egg production.
“It is a privilege to recognize these family farms for the excellent job they do in being good stewards of their land,” said Greg Hinton, outgoing chairman for the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association and vice president of sales for Rose Acre Farms. “Our industry could not continue to function and thrive without taking proper care of our natural resources, and these family farms should be commended for those efforts.”
Award applicants were rated in several categories including litter management, nutrient management, community involvement, wildlife enhancement techniques and participation in education or outreach programs. While selecting national winners and finalists for the competition, applications were reviewed and farm visits conducted by a team of environmental professionals from universities, regulatory agencies and poultry associations. Award winners were selected from five geographic regions throughout the United States and include family farms nominated by the Iowa Poultry Association, Kentucky Poultry Federation, Cargill, Butterball and Sanderson Farms.
Of the five award winners, Sanderson Farms family farmers, Donald and Danielle Urbanovsky, were selected as the winner of the Southwest region. Growing breeder chickens for the company’s Bryan, Texas, production division, Urbanovsky Farms has more than six years of experience in poultry farming and takes very seriously their responsibility to environmental sustainability.
“As a grower, it is our responsibility to provide safe and healthy poultry for consumers,” said Donald Urbanovsky. “We also must be aware of global food safety and economic sustainability by operating with transparency, educating others and providing environmental benefits.”
Winners representing other poultry producers and associations from the remaining four geographic regions in the U.S. include the Mid-Atlantic region winner, the Wolfepack Farm of Harrisonburg, Va., the South Central region winner, the Dalen Bell Farm of Tuscumbia, Mo., the Southeast region winner, the Infinity Ranch of Lamar, Ark., and the State Poultry Association winner, the Green Ridge Family Farm of Weldon, Iowa.
