by Tom Damm
Spoiler alert! Everyone wins.
A new video is benefiting farmers and regulators alike by taking the mystery out of farm inspections.
The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association collaborated with EPA employees to produce a video that demonstrates what poultry and egg farms can expect when EPA or state inspectors come a-knocking.
The 14-minute video, featuring Mark Zolandz (inspector) and Kelly Shenk (ag advisor) from EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Region, helps further the goal of clean rivers and streams, well-managed farms and a robust agricultural industry.
Entitled “Why EPA and States Inspect Farms,” the video promotes a better understanding of the connection between agriculture and clean water. It includes insights into the inspection process and provides information on assistance available to poultry and egg producers to address water quality issues.
The educational video, filmed on location at a turkey farm in Rockingham County, Virginia, outlines possible reasons why a farm may be inspected, how the farmers should prepare for the inspection, and how the inspection will likely be structured.
Runoff from farms is a significant source of pollution in rivers and streams. EPA and the states perform inspections to monitor compliance with regulations to protect water quality. They also provide funding and technical assistance to help farmers adopt best management practices to control pollution.
You can check out more on the making of the video at this link.
About the Author: Tom Damm has been with EPA since 2002 and now serves as communications coordinator for the region’s Water Protection Division