In Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, Goals Are Clean Water and Thriving Animal Agriculture

Posted: 02-Jan-2006; Updated: 26-Jul-2007

Renowned for its scenic beauty, Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley leads the state in animal agriculture. (Credit: National Park Service)

The Shenandoah Valley of Virginia is well-known for lovely mountains, flowing rivers and beautiful farmland. Less well-known is that this area, which draws over a billion tourism dollars annually, leads the state in animal agriculture. Maintaining these two major economic sectors is both a significant opportunity and a significant challenge. In addition to providing the region's pastoral landscape and identity, animal agriculture also generates 600,000 tons of excess animal manure and poultry litter every year, which, without proper management, makes its way to creeks, groundwater and the Chesapeake Bay. 

Much of this nutrient oversupply from manure and litter is spread as fertilizer on crop fields and pastureland. When applied at appropriate rates, manure and litter are a valuable source of nutrients and organic matter for crop and forage production. However, land application of excess manure and litter is increasingly recognized as contributing to local and regional water quality problems. 

Shared goals unite diverse interests

The need to find better ways to deal with these excess nutrients brought together a diverse group from academia, agricultural interests, environmental groups and state government agencies in Summer 2004. The group organized the Waste Solutions Forum, and in April 2005, more than 80 invitees gathered in Roanoke, Virginia. 

Guided by a shared belief that both clean water and thriving agriculture are not only possible but essential, Forum participants set aside differences and began developing a strategy and action plan. They identified several practical and economically viable alternatives for managing and using manure and litter and outlined an implementation strategy. The Forum is serving as the beginning point for long-term collaboration and partnerships to change how manure and litter are managed throughout Virginia, starting in the Shenandoah Valley. 

The average cow produces 20 to 22 tons of manure a year, which can be a valuable resource when used properly. (Credit: Photodisc)

Each Forum participant has an important vested interest in good manure and litter solutions. Farmers and agri-business need economically viable management to stay in business and to resist pressure to sell land for development. Environmental groups seek stewardship that ensures clean waterways and drinking water. State agencies look for compliance with standards and regulations. Local governments want to protect rural agricultural heritage. Academicians search for efficient, less polluting technologies. The energy industry seeks affordable, non-polluting alternatives to foreign oil. 

Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr., identified a key theme on the opening day: "Unanimity is not required for success, but solidarity is." Though not in total agreement on what to do or when to do it, all the Forum participants affirmed the urgent need to work together to find and implement solutions.

Pilot projects, other activities initiate change

Murphy noted that the Forum was not "a series of presentations," but a beginning for change. After the two-day meeting, the group moved into the implementation phase, which is expected to continue for many years, with the initial focus on activities in the next three years. Priority actions now under development include:

• Piloting advanced feed management on dairy farms to reduce nitrogen and phosphate nutrients in manure that in excess can harm water quality;
• Implementing transportable projects that demonstrate alternative uses of manure and litter to produce energy, bio-oils, fertilizers and fuel;
• Conducting several training workshops on composting technologies; and
• Establishing a stable and significant source of state funding for agricultural best management practices and for innovation grants.

Testifying to the importance of Forum goals is the number and diversity of participants, Steering Committee members and financial supporters. A partial list includes faculty from several Virginia Tech departments; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia Poultry Federation; Virginia State Dairymen's Association; Virginia Farm Bureau; five state agencies concerned with health, environment and recreation; Environmental Defense's Center for Conservation Incentives; Virginia Association of Counties; Shenandoah Resource Conservation and Development Council; Pure Water Forum; Altria Group; Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Institute for Environmental Negotiation.

-Suzy Friedman
agricultural policy specialist
Center for Conservation Incentives
Environmental Defense

Editor's note: Read more at www.mawaterquality.org or contact co-chairs Ann Jennings, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, ajennings@cbf.org or Dale Gardner, Virginia State Dairymen's Association, vamilk4u@gte.net