Environmental board challenges plans for huge midstate egg farm

(Mercersburg) — Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch says it’s in the egg business for the long haul.

The nation’s 11th largest egg producer celebrates its 60th year with a major expansion on hold 500 miles from its home in Saranac, Mich.

Herbruck’s plan for what would be Franklin County’s largest egg-laying operation is being challenged at the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board. Thomas W. Renwand, chairman and chief judge of the board, recently decided against an early ruling in the case.

His decision, at the very least, prolongs the approval process for a $90 million project in Montgomery Township. More than two years ago Herbruck’s announced plans for eight poultry barns where 2.4 million cage-free hens would lay a billion organic eggs annually.

The family-owned company appears to be following the advice of 19th-century tycoon Andrew Carnegie, who said “put all your eggs in one basket, and then watch that basket.”

“As we move forward with our expansion, we are committed to working with residents, business owners and local officials to make sure the greater Mercersburg community continues to be a great place to live,” Herbruck’s President Greg Herbruck said on Friday. “The new farm will have poultry barns that house cage-free laying hens and will use the same advanced technology and innovative manure-handling system that Herbruck’s uses in its Michigan facilities to minimize impacts on local residents and the environment.”

The plan, however, has met surprise opposition in usually farm-friendly Montgomery Township, even with the promise of 275 jobs.

Montgomery Township Friends of Family Farms last year challenged the permits that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued to Herbruck’s. DEP approved water quality and concentrated animal feeding operation permits.

One of the main disputes centers around a box that Herbruck’s checked on its DEP paperwork – an incorrect indication that the operation would not have air emissions.

“There will be errors in virtually any permit application review of even modest complexity,” Renwand wrote in his Aug. 20 opinion. “If the errors have been corrected, there is no need to dwell upon them. Here, the errors have not been corrected.”

Herbruck’s has not supplied the air emissions information required on the form and DEP is no longer asking for it, according to Renwand. DEP’s explanation is that it is waiting for the Environmental Protection Agency to establish the “highly technical” methodology for estimating air emissions from a CAFO.

“The department does not explain why it has not required the permitee (Herbruck’s) to follow the air emissions estimation process that other applicants have presumably been required to follow to date,” Renwand wrote.

The hens in Mercersburg annually would produce 35,952 tons of manure that would be dried and bagged. The farm would have a building for storing the dried manure. Community leaders who went to Michigan say Herbruck’s operations have little odor.

DEP claims it is still evaluating whether Herbruck’s needs an air pollution plan, and so there has been no final action on air quality that can be appealed to the hearing board.

DEP asked that the hearing board to dismiss the case. Herbruck’s supported DEP’s position. Friends of Family Farms urged a summary judgement in its favor.

Renwand wrote that it is inappropriate to grant either motion. The motions, however, may be appropriate later as questions are answered.

Greg Herbruck, meanwhile, is upbeat about coming to Mercersburg: “Our farm was founded 60 years ago with a commitment to being a good neighbor, and we strive to do what’s best for the community, our birds and the environment. We are pleased by how the community has embraced us and the support we have received, and we look forward to future opportunities. We look forward to supporting the local community in the same way that we have done in our home state of Michigan for over 60 years.”

In support of its plan, Herbruck’s bought a dairy farm on Corner Road for $3 million in December after nearly two years evaluating the site.

The company also invested $2 million to set up a cold storage warehouse at the Cumberland Valley Business Park.

Herbruck’s wants to be closer to its Northeast markets, specifically McDonald’s restaurants.

Herbruck’s supplies farm-fresh eggs to retailers and food service outlets across the nation.  Harry and Marilyn Herbruck found Herbruck’s in Ionia County in 1958, with roots stretching back to the late 1920s. Third-generation family members, and fourth-generation family members continue the tradition today. Herbruck’s flock has grown from 3,000 laying hens in the late 1950s to 9 million today with locations in Michigan, Indiana and Pennsylvania.

In Indiana, Herbruck’s contracts with 80 small family farms to produce specialty cage-free eggs. Herbruck’s also in 2017 built a feed mill and truck depot, which created 10 new jobs in Topeka, Ind. The Indiana location sources its corn and soymeal.

“My parents and grandparents created a solid foundation for Herbruck’s that allowed us to grow and expand over the years,” Greg Herbruck said, “and we are looking forward to what the next decade will bring.”

Herbruck’s pioneered an innovative manure handling system to grow its business by managing waste, odor and dust on the farms, according to Greg Herbruck. The dried chicken manure is used as a profitable organic fertilizer

The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association earlier this year recognized Herbruck’s commitment to sustainability and innovation with the Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award for its manure handling system, wastewater treatment system and other practices.

“We founded our farm with a commitment to doing what’s best for our neighbors and making a positive impact on our birds and the environment,” said Marilyn Herbruck, who still lives on the family farm. “I am proud of our children and grandchildren for keeping our values strong and finding ways to do things better than we did yesterday.”

This story comes to us through a partnership between WITF and The Chambersburg Public Opinion.