ATLANTA — Parham’s Pullets of Dresden, Tenn., was one of five farms across the United States to receive the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association’s Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award during the 2023 International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta. 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 manure management, nutrient management planning, community involvement, wildlife enhancement techniques, innovative nutrient management techniques, and participation in education and outreach programs. Applications were reviewed and farm visits conducted by a team of environmental professionals from universities, regulatory agencies and state poultry associations.
David and Melanie Parham care for 79,200 pullets for Tyson Foods. Owning more than 525 acres of land, the Parhams utilize litter generated in the pullet houses to fertilize hay production fields and pastureland that provide forage for a cattle business also operated on the farm. David closely follows a comprehensive nutrient management plan to ensure nutrients contained in the litter are applied at a rate that does not exceed the nutrient uptake capability of the hay fields and grazing pastures.
Their pullet houses were constructed with the latest technology, including state of the art energy efficient LED lighting and infrared heaters. An additional side wall fan was installed in each barn during construction to assist with winter ventilation and to provide better air quality for the birds. The two newest barns are equipped with technologically advanced feed weighing systems to reduce waste and ensure efficient feed distribution.
Supporting agriculture and educating future generations about agriculture is David’s passion. David is a local farm bureau member and currently serves as a board member at-large for the Weakley County Farm Bureau. David also serves as the chairman of the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation Poultry Advisory Committee and as a member of the Resolutions Committee.
Mikell Fries, president of Claxton Poultry Farms and vice chairman for the USPOULTRY Board of Directors, presented the award to David and Melanie Parham.
