Delaware Valley University Announces Plans for Improvements at its Livestock Facility
Delaware Valley University, in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Bucks County Conservation District (BCCD), announced plans for the implementation of best management practice improvements at its livestock facility on campus.
The plans include a new cattle building, pasture renovations, new fencing, wetlands protection and improved manure management. When complete, the project will enhance campus-wide conservation efforts, provide a healthy environment for the animals and the ecosystem, and showcase a healthy and sustainable environment for successful cattle farming.
“We are very excited at the prospects of this project,” said Dr. Broc Sandelin, dean of the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at DelVal. “The new cattle barn along with the renovations will not only improve our facilities on campus but will also help us grow our number of beef cattle to accommodate the increased demand of our animal science program. Also, working with two alumni to close this deal brought a lot of pride to me and the University.”
Funding for the improvements was secured through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) at NRCS, and the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) funding from BCCD.
A pair of DelVal alumni were on campus representing the partners affiliated with the deal. Rosalynd Orr ’03 is a supervisory district conservationist with the NRCS; Ryan Herstein ’19 works as an agricultural conservation technician with BCCD. The partnership served as a full-circle moment for the two alumni.
“The USDA-NRCS is excited to partner with the Bucks County Conservation District and Delaware Valley University to implement this valuable conservation project on campus,” said Orr. “The proposed waste system project at the beef facility will address the water quality resource concerns and also serve to educate current and future students about the benefits of conservation. As an environmental science alumna, it’s truly rewarding to be able to assist DVU in implementing conservation on campus as the NRCS District Conservationist for Bucks County.”
“This partnership will assist BCCD in achieving our mission of providing for the wise use, management and development of the county’s soil, water and related natural resources by improving soil and water quality, pasture and nutrient management, and wildlife habitat through improved riparian function,” commented Herstein. “As a recent 2019 graduate of DelVal, I am excited, not only for the improved environmental benefits of this project, but also for the education it will provide the students attending the University as it relates to agricultural conservation.”
DelVal plans to begin implementation of these efforts in early 2025 starting with the new open-air cattle facility.
For additional information about this project please contact Christopher Elliott at Christopher.Elliott@delval.edu.
About Delaware Valley University:
Delaware Valley University is a private, comprehensive, nonprofit university educating students with a curriculum that emphasizes and requires experiential learning. Located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles north of Philadelphia, the University offers more than 25 undergraduate majors in business, arts and sciences, and agricultural and environmental sciences; 12 master's degrees; and a doctorate in education. Founded in 1896, DelVal has been cited by the National Society for Experiential Education as having the country's top experiential learning program, by Princeton Review as one of the best colleges in the Northeast, and by College Factual as having one of the top 20 animal science programs in the country.