VWSF Final Report [PDF]
Read the findings, strategies and recommendations from The Waste Solutions Forum: Animal Agriculture and Environmental Solutions for the Shenandoah Valley.

The Virginia Waste Solutions Forum is a diverse group of people and organizations with backgrounds in agriculture, environmental science, research, education, business, legislation, and policy working together to address the nutrient challenges of animal agriculture and develop long-term, cost effective environmental solutions in the Shenandoah Valley.

Excess animal manure and poultry litter has become an increasingly problematic issue in the Shenandoah Valley. In April 2005, the Waste Solutions Forum was formed as a grass roots planning effort to constructively address growing economic and environmental concerns. The group works to develop specific priority actions for policy, research, education, and pilot projects.

The Forum has set several clear priorities:

  • Improving nutrient feed management efficiency to reduce Phosphorous and Nitrogen in manure
  • Improving demand and markets for manure-based products
  • Creating alternative methods for processing manure and alternative end uses for manure
  • Changing/influencing policies to achieve other goals

The continued collaboration and commitment by Forum participants drives achievement, bringing us closer to solving nutrient challenges and securing the agricultural economy in the Valley.