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New Poultry Litter Hotline Available to Farmers
Livestock Update, March 2007
Contacts:
Becky Barlow, Shenandoah RC&D (540) 248-6080, Litter Hotline 1-800-418-0768
Hobey Bauhan, Virginia Poultry Federation (540) 433-2451
Verona, VA – February 12, 2007 – Harrisonburg-based Virginia Poultry Federation (VPF) and the Shenandoah Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D), with offices in Verona, announced a new poultry litter hotline and marketing program. The program, overseen by the Council’s new “market maker” position, includes a toll-free number to help connect buyers, sellers, and haulers of poultry litter. Poultry growers with litter available, litter brokers and haulers, and farmers seeking litter may call 1-800-418-0768 and speak with the market maker, Becky Barlow.
The new position was created through a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant awarded to Virginia Tech. The position was designed to complement other projects funded by the grant to address the concentration of nutrients from animal agriculture in the Shenandoah Valley.
Barlow commented, “Through educational and marketing efforts, my goal is to have more people regard poultry litter as a resource rather than a waste.”
VPF president Hobey Bauhan said he was excited about the new program. “This program will help spread the word that poultry litter is a valuable organic source of nutrients that can improve soil quality and productivity. Ms. Barlow will market litter to farmers with soils containing moderate to low phosphorus levels and avoid fields with excessive phosphorus levels. I encourage poultry growers with litter available to call Becky Barlow.”
VPF’s previous poultry litter hotline and marketing program, in operation since 1999, has been incorporated into the new program. VPF will provide financial and in-kind support for the new, enhanced program.
VPF is a nonprofit, trade association founded in 1925. For additional information, please contact the Virginia Poultry Federation, 333 Neff Avenue, Suite C, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, 540-433-2451, FAX 540-433-3256, E-Mail: hobey@vapoultry.com, Website: www.vapoultry.com.
The Shenandoah RC&D is a locally-directed program that promotes economic growth and environmental quality. It sets area goals and objectives, and brings together partners, technical assistance and financial resources to complete projects to meet its goals and objectives. For more information please contact Becky Barlow, Market Maker, 70 Dick Huff Lane, P.O. Box 60, Verona, VA 24482, 540-248-6080, FAX 540-248-5502, E-mail: rebecca.barlow@rcdnet.net, Website: www.shenandoahrcd.org.