1. On Farm Sustainability: A Poultry Growers Perspective
Arthur Halterman
Baker, West Virginia

3. Watershed Facts Lost River – Native Trout Stream
Lost River becomes “lost” near Wardensville, WV
Resurfaces in Wardensville about 3 miles away
Drains to Chesapeake Bay
Largest poultry producing watershed in State

4. History of Family on Farm
Family ownership of the farm – 1932
Grandfather raised poultry, cattle, sheep & hogs
Father began farm operations in 1952
I began operating the farm in 1986

5. History of Poultry on Farm
Grandfather started as an independent poultry grower, then began raising birds for Shawnee Milling Co of Petersburg, WV.
Father started out with broilers. Switched to turkeys with Shawnee and then with Rockingham, Rocco and WLR.
Hauled birds out of area to be processed.

6. My Role on the Farm Raised broilers for Rocco while in college
After taking over farm, I brooded range turkeys for Rocco
In 1991, I began rising breeders for WLR- now Pilgrim’s Pride

7. Current Operation Overview
Raise 15,000 breeders in 2 houses
70 head of beef cattle
140 acres of grassland
190 acres woodland
7 acres of riparian area and wetlands

8. Community Involvement
2008 US Egg and Poultry Association Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award
2006 WV Poultry Association Environmental Award Winner
2003 Recipient of WV Primary Environmental Educator
Member of WV Farm Bureau and WV Poultry Association
Active Ruritan and Parks Commissioner

9. Environmental Practices
One of first producers to sign up for Potomac Land Treatment Watershed Project (PL-534)
Litter shed & composter
Partnership between federal, state and local governments to make water quality improvements to the land within the Potomac River Drainage
Installed Litter Shed
Composter
Nutrient management

10. Potomac Headwaters Land Treatment Watershed Project (PL534)
Over 85 percent of poultry producers participated- 14.M on the ground for improvements
10 Year Project completely voluntary participation addressing nutrients within Potomac Valley
Special allocation of money though legislation
Focused on manure and nutrients from livestock operations

11. PL-534 Accomplishments
$14 M dollars worth of agricultural improvements on over 300 ag operations
Nutrient management, waste storage, buffers, relocation of livestock feeding areas

12. Halterman Voluntary Practices
Maintaining manure spreader calibration
Preserving riparian buffers in hay fields
Sustaining practices from past programs
Integrated Pest Management
Storm water management around poultry houses

13. CREP Signed up for CREP in 2005
3840 Feet of stream bank fencing
Planted 850 trees
Partnered with US Fish and Wildlife partners for Wildlife to install 5.2 acres of riparian buffer
½ mile of stream bank protected
½ acre riparian tree planting
Partnering with Cacapon Institute to monitor and perform research on low cost deer fence project
Using NRCS technical assistiance

14. Environmental Practices are Important
Commitment to lifelong teaching about agriculture and the environment
Goal is to leave land in better condition for next generation
Showing others that farmers are committed to protecting the environment will help guard the farming community from future regulations
There can be a partnership between the agricultural and environmental community
Started out with division fencing, ponds,

15. Future Practices Looking at alternative energy such as solar or wind
Working to coordinate voluntary buffers on 7,300 linear feet of small stream in Baker community
Designating 7 acres of streamside property to be used as “outdoor classroom” for schools and community to promote environmental education

16. Baker Run Conservation Society
Founded one of the first watershed associations in the State of WV
Currently serving as President of this group
Partnering with many groups to bring educational opportunities and make environmental improvements within the watershed
School- trails- campus
Baker Park

17. Chesapeake Bay and WV Farmers
Local farmers were involved in the Chesapeake Bay program and working in developing the local tributary strategies
Farmers are willing to improve local watersheds which consequently improve the Bay
Local improvement will impact downstream……

18. Keys to Success Education is key to sustainability
Regulation is not the answer
More cost share is needed
Programs need flexibility
Farmers need to participate in programs
Practices not only help environment but also improve farm production

19. Agriculture and the Environment Do Work Together!