Miller Farm LLC in Rockingham, Va. was one of six farms across the United States to receive U.S. Poultry & Egg Association’s Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award during the 2024 International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta. U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) sponsors the annual awards in recognition of exemplary environmental stewardship by family farmers engaged in poultry and egg production.

Applicants were rated in several categories, including nutrient management planning, implementation of novel sustainability practices, community involvement, innovative litter or manure management techniques, and participation in education or outreach programs. Applications were reviewed and farm visits conducted by a team of environmental professionals from universities, regulatory agencies and state poultry associations.

Craig and Nancy Miller raise nearly 200,000 turkeys annually for Cargill. As farmers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the Millers are acutely aware of the importance of nutrient management plans. Each year the Millers pull soil samples to monitor the nutrient concentrations on their farm and to ensure that poultry litter is not over-applied. Roughly 90 percent of the litter generated on the farm is sold to brokers who haul the nutrients outside of the watershed.

In addition to turkeys, the Millers also run a 150 head registered Angus cow / calf operation. Pastures that are used to graze cattle are closely monitored. Rotational grazing is implemented to maintain ground cover, and pastures are harrowed to distribute manure, level heavily soiled areas, remove dead grass and weeds, and improve water filtration. Recognizing the importance of controlling erosion, the Millers collaborated with the National Resource Conservation Service to complete a project to capture, transfer and recycle 30% of their rainwater runoff coming from areas surrounding the turkey houses into a catchment pond.

Craig is a member of the Virginia Poultry Federation committee and regularly meets with local and state government officials as well as senators and house representatives, advocating for the poultry industry. In 2012, the Millers had the honor of raising the presidential turkeys.

Mike Levengood, vice president, Chief Animal Care Officer and Farmer Relationship Advocate for Perdue Farms, past USPOULTRY chair and current USPOULTRY board member, presented the award to Nancy and Craig Miller.