Barclay Farm Honored with National Environmental Excellence Award

A Queen Anne’s County poultry farm has earned national recognition for its environmental stewardship. B&R Poultry in Barclay was one of five farms nationwide to receive the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association’s Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award during the 2026 International Production and Processing Expo in Atlanta. The award honors family farms demonstrating outstanding environmental responsibility in poultry and egg production.

Rick and Beth Weaver, nominated by the Delmarva Chicken Association, operate six broiler houses on 100 acres, housing approximately 225,000 birds.

Farms were evaluated on nutrient management, sustainability practices, community involvement, manure and litter management, and education efforts. B&R Poultry operates under a certified Nutrient Management Plan implemented in 2016 and reviewed annually. The farm uses a dry litter system, composting for mortality management, annual litter removal, and a stormwater system with a forebay and retention pond.

The farm also operates a 360-kilowatt solar field supporting on-site and residential energy needs. As an organic operation, birds have pasture access, and the property includes grass buffers and pollinator plantings.
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Rick Weaver serves on the Queen Anne’s County Soil Conservation District board, and the farm participates in outreach programs with University of Maryland Extension and industry partners.