Pennsylvania Farm Sets Standard For Technology, Commitment to Environment

June 5, 2012

Giving public tours of its dairy farm, developing online videos of chickens, and monitoring computer systems that guarantees egg freshness and high quality. Just another day at Kreider Farms in Manheim, Pa.

This family-owned farm is based in Lancaster County, Pa., which boasts some of the richest non-irrigated farm land in the United States. It also ranks in the top five counties for broiler production, egg production and pork production.

In 1935 Noah and Mary Kreider started with 12 dairy cows and 200 chickens and that tradition of milk and eggs continues to this day. Their grandson Ron Kreider owns and operates the diverse business.

Now this fourth-generation farm has grown to process, bottle and sell their own milk from their cow herd, make farm fresh ice cream, and is the largest egg producer in the state of Pennsylvania.

Ten years ago Kreider farms embarked on an ambitious commitment to their animals, workers and the environment. To date they have completed 80% of the renovations to their egg facilities. These new generation chicken houses create more space for the chickens; provide better air quality, and a higher standard for food safety.

This innovative farm also has adapted a strong commitment to the environment. Two years ago Kreider Farms installed the first on-farm Bion waste treatment plant in the United States. Using biology to do the work instead of electricity cut the dependency on outside energy versus a traditional waste treatment facility system based on fossil fuels. It's these types of sustainable methods that demonstrate Kreider's dedication to quality, land stewardship and sustainable agriculture.

"Those of us in the American agriculture business want to thank Furniture Row Racing for its efforts to support American industry and domestic agriculture," said Kreider. "When I was born, the world population was 3 billion and just 50 years later the world population has more than doubled and continues to grow at a rapid rate.

"The need to grow food efficiently, sustainably and safely will become more and more critical in years to come. We applaud Furniture Row Racing for helping to raise public awareness about the importance of domestic industry and sustainable agriculture to assure the prosperity and well being of the United States and its people far into the future."

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