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EPA presents water stewardship award to Ohio swine operation

Release Date: 07/25/2007
Contact Information: Kären Thompson, 312-353-8547, [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 07-OPA129


CHICAGO (July 25, 2007) -U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 is presenting a first-time award for water resources stewardship today to an Ohio swine operation. Environmental Manager Bill Knapke will accept the award on behalf of the operator, Cooper Farms, and Pharoah Ltd., owner of the Paulding, Ohio facility.

Ohio EPA nominated the Pharoah-Rose Grove sow facility for its exceptional record of environmental protection and innovation. The Paulding County farm houses nearly 3,000 sows which produce about 1,000 weanling pigs per week. From there the small pigs are transported to growing facilities in western Ohio and Indiana where they are raised for market.

"Livestock production is important to the economy of the Midwest," said Acting Regional Water Director Linda Holst. "We are partnering with state water quality agencies to identify and recognize feed lot operations that are taking a leadership role in reducing their environmental impacts."

"I am very encouraged and appreciate the efforts of Bill Knapke and Cooper Farms to not only comply with their CAFO Clean Water Act permits, but to institute proactive measures, such as promoting nutrient management to employees and associated producers," said Ohio EPA Surface Water Division Supervisor Cathy Alexander.

EPA's Water Resources Stewardship Award acknowledges beef, dairy, swine and poultry concentrated animal feeding operations that are using technological achievements and pioneering processes and tools in their waste treatment and pollution abatement programs.