Melissa Feeders has maintained continued working relationships with a number of environmental consultants, businesses, agencies, and university systems throughout the years. Our operations are regulated by the Texas Center for Environmental Quality as Confined Animal Feeding Operations, (CAFO's). All of the facilites hold current permits in good standing. In addition, each operation participates in Texas Cattle Feeders Association Environmental Monitioring Program, whereby each operation is inspected by a licensed professional environmental engineer each quarter. These engineers assist the operations in maintaining the proper records, soil tests, and other sampling contributing to the sound environmental programs. The Melissa Feeders operation has actually been used to demonstrate Best Management Practices in past field days during a training session with TCEQ Regulators. Texas A&M researchers assisted in this demonstration. Melissa Feeders and A&M have received a Small Businees Innovation grant to help assist in educating other CAFO units on these BMP's.
Melissa Feeders has also been recognized as "Stoney Point AgriCorp., Inc" for its environmental endeavors by magazines such as Progressive Farmer, and Landscapes due the company's ability to utilize "waste" products for growing cattle. Also the team has worked closely with Dr. Don Vietor of the Texas A&M University System for continued development of turf grass applications for CAFO's. Dr. Mark Quinn, starting in 1998 as a representative of Melissa Feeders (then known as Stoney Point AgriCorp, Inc), was part of a joint multi-year task force of the Texas A&M University System Agricultural Program to develop nutrient management practices for CAFO's that are both beneficial for the environment and profitable for producers. Additionally, Melissa Feeders works closely with the Texas Cattle Feeders Association Environmental Monitoring Program to develop sustainable practices of waste management for its various operations. Quinn has long been a member of the TCFA research committee which has had a strong focus on environmental research.
The company has been recognized by the Southern Region Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education Program (SARE). This program is funded by the USDA and EPA to develop agricultural practices that are environmentally sustainable and thus has drawn the attention of programs such as SARE.
A few of the people critical to these environmental and waste management programs are John George, P.E. an experienced and long-time consulting agricultural engineer responsible for assisting in designing calf ranches both domestically and internationally; Gary Rower, M.S. an expert in biochemical processing who helped develop the patent on the process used in the Value Added Feeds milk plant; Dr. Dave Hutcheson, a highly regarded consulting cattle nutritionist with decades of experience in feedlot and calf growing nutrition, and waste management practices. Consultants in the areas of waste management, environmental management, agricultural engineering, and nutrition have been vital to the success of Melissa Feeders and close relationships with experts in these fields has allowed the team to become an exemplary business in the community and industry regarding sound environmental practices.
Local officials from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department have also been called upon to help with the management of wild game habitats including duck, geese, pheasant, and predators on the various properties.
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