A grant of EPA funds was made available by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in October 1990 to selected southwest Missouri poultry producers representing each of the five major poultry processing companies. The purpose of the grant is to demonstrate the feasibility of composting dead birds in an environmentally sound manner. The grant is administered by Southwest Missouri Resource Conservation and Development, Inc., with technical assistance provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and educational activities provided by MU Extension. Tom Swaffer, of Stella, Mo., representing Simmons Industries, agreed to participate in the demonstration project. Swaffer's concerns about future regulations pertaining to dead bird disposal, environmental considerations and economical management of dead birds were factors in his decision to participate in the project. This guide describes the composting project relating to Swaffer's poultry operation
