TUCKER, GA. — The US Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) announced it is currently accepting nominations for the 2024 Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award through Oct. 27. A USPOULTRY member, an affiliated state poultry association, or a poultry or egg farmer who produces for a USPOULTRY member may all make nominations.

The award honors family farmers who have demonstrated exemplary environmental stewardship through poultry or egg production. To be eligible, the farm must be family-owned and supply poultry or egg products to a USPOULTRY member or an independent producer who is a USPOULTRY member.

Previous winners must wait at least three years before resubmitting an application.

“Poultry growers regularly utilize best management practices to heighten environmental stewardship on their farms,” said Jarod Morrison, chief financial officer with Farbest Foods, and USPOULTRY chairman. “The dedication and ingenuity that our award winners and finalists exhibit each year through their environmental management practices is admirable.”

The Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award finalists will receive a sign to display near their farm’s entrance. USPOULTRY will also cover expenses for travel and hotel accommodations for two nights to attend the 2024 International Poultry Expo, part of the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) held in Atlanta.

At the Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit — also part of IPPE — on Jan. 30, 2024, the winner for each region will be announced. During the award ceremony, winners will receive a $1,000 cash prize.

USPOULTRY said it will assist each farm in publicizing its achievement in local, regional and national media.

Last year’s award went to four family farms from the Mid-Atlantic, South Central, Southeast and Southwest United States. Additionally, USPOULTRY awarded a State Poultry Association nominee. The following farmers were recognized:

  • David and Melanie Parham, Parham’s Pullets, Dresden, Tenn., nominated by the Tennessee Poultry Association
  • Craig and Mindy Fruechte, Fruechte Turkey Farms, Decatur, Ind., nominated by Cooper Farms
  • Glenn and Tracey Backes, Backes Turkey Farm, Eldon, Mo., nominated by Cargill
  • Tim Morrison, Morrison Poultry, LLC, Wingo, Ky., nominated by Tyson Foods
  • Kevin and Kim Doyle, KD Farm, Stillwell, Okla., nominated by Cargill

For being selected as a finalist, the following farmers received an award as well:

  • Mark and Alana Yoder and Sarah Yoder, Brush Creek Henhouse LLC, Leon, Iowa, nominated by the North Central Poultry Association
  • Kevin and Lora Foltz, Foltz Farm K LLC, Mathis, W.Va., nominated by Cargill
  • Norbet and Susan Gabel, Gabel Farm, Galena, Mo., nominated by Cargill
  • Dustin and Jason Hagan, Hagan Brothers Farm, Whitesville, Ky., nominated by Perdue Foods
  • Mike Thompson, C&M Poultry, Mt. Pleasant, Texas, nominated by Pilgrim’s