The award recognises exemplary environmental stewardship by family farmers engaged in poultry and egg production.

Those eligible for the award include any family-owned poultry grower or egg producer supplying product to a USPOULTRY member or an independent producer who is a USPOULTRY member.

Nominations are being accepted until 30 September 2015. The award is presented to exemplary family farmers in six regions of the country.

One award may be presented for each of the regions: Northeast, Southeast, South Central, North Central, Southwest and the remainder of the United States.

Nominations must be made by a USPOULTRY member or an affiliated state poultry association by completing the application provided by USPOULTRY. Each integrator or egg processor may nominate one grower or producer for each complex in each state supporting their operations.

Six families received the Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award in 2015.

"Poultry growers utilise best management practices that heighten environmental stewardship on their farms.

"The skill, inventiveness and devotion that our award winners and finalists display each year through their environmental management practices is commendable," said Sherman Miller, USPOULTRY chairman.