Allen Harim Grower Wins Delaware Environmental Stewardship Award

SEAFORD — For the third year in a row, an Allen Harim farm family was presented with the prestigious Environmental Stewardship Award on Monday during Delaware Ag Week. 

Randy and Jordan McCloskey own Single Silo Farm in Houston, Del., where they own four chicken houses and grow about 136,800 chickens per flock. They also farm 500 acres of grain. They built the chicken houses a few years ago to help diversify their business, and because they were looking for additional fertilizer options for their crops. The couple, who started dating in high school, both agreed that choosing to grow chickens for Allen Harim was "one of the best decisions we've ever made." 

In presenting the award, Delaware Nutrient Management Administrator Chris Brosch explained why they were chosen. "As part of their efforts to be good environmental stewards, the McCloskeys have utilized diverse road-side plantings to help reduce dust, control odors, and increase aesthetics; a storm water pond on the farm is fed by seven swales; and they follow a nutrient management plan that utilizes their poultry litter for soil health benefits. When farming is done for the day, both Jordan and Randy serve as ambassadors for the industry speaking with neighbors about the antibiotic free chicken they raise and debunking myths surrounding the industry," he said. 

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