A poultry grower for Allen Harim, was honored with the distinguished Delaware Environmental Stewardship Award this week for his efforts to improve water quality and reduce nutrient runoff on his 150-acre farm near Marydel.Chris Lesniowski has raised poultry since 2014, with a capacity of 252,000 birds per flock. He was nominated by Allen Harim for the state award, which includes a $1,000 cash prize as well as a plaque and a sign for his farm.
Lesniowski created a sediment pond on his farm, installed clean-up pads, planted trees around the property, maintains food plots for deer and turkey, handles bird disposal properly, and practices strict biosecurity, state officials said.
“Chris Lesniowski and his fellow farmers exemplify the virtues of being good environmental stewards, protecting our water and land,” said Nutrient Management Program Administrator Chris Brosch who presented the award. “Delaware has led the way in nutrient management practices and planning thanks to the work of farmers like these.”
The award was presented during Delaware Ag Week, during an event at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington.. Three runner ups were also honored Monday night.
“As a company, we are so proud of our growers and Chris Lesniowski is a great example of that. He’s a young farmer doing the right thing,” said Keith Moore, Senior Director of Live Operations for Allen Harim.
Allen Harim, headquartered in Seaford, Delaware, operates chicken processing facilities in Harbeson, Delaware, and Cordova, Maryland; breeding operations in Liberty, North Carolina; a hatchery in Dagsboro, Delaware, and a hatchery and feed mill in Seaford, as well. The company employs more than 1,600 people in the United States, as well as more than 230 independent growers and 20 company farms across Delmarva.
