The program is part of the Clean Michigan Initiative, the environmental bond initiative proposed by Gov. John Engler and overwhelmingly approved by voters in 1998. The program provides low-interest loans to small businesses with fewer than 100 employees, allowing them to implement projects that eliminate or reduce waste through source reduction or recycling.

Harding’s approval clears the way for finalizing a $55,000 loan to the farm.

The loan enables the farm to purchase an in-vessel composter, which will reduce poultry waste volume by 50 percent and stabilize the nutrients to allow phosphorous and other plant nutrients to be recycled as a useful product.

Composting has several advantages over direct land application of poultry manure. It is more stable than manure, stores well, and provides the advantages of flexibility in application timing, pathogen and weed seed destruction, potential decrease in herbicide costs, and fewer fly and odor problems.

"The DEQ is pleased to have an agricultural project that addresses nonpoint source pollution," Harding said. "This is a fine project, both from the standpoint of reducing the amount of managed poultry waste, and for creating a recycled organic product with better capability for plant nutrient delivery, particularly for phosphorus. I commend Shady Side Farm for its leadership in becoming the first agricultural participant in this program."

Under the program, the DEQ works in partnership with the company and its local bank to provide a loan that does not exceed the established 5 percent interest rate. In this instance Macatawa Bank of Holland will issue the loan.

"We appreciate the financial assistance this loan will provide us for this composting project," said Mike Bronkema, owner of Shady Side Farm. "This project will enable us to significantly reduce our waste volume and eliminate the risk of surface runoff from our poultry operation."

A total of $5 million was dedicated to the program under the Clean Michigan Initiative.

M. Charles Gould, Michigan State University Extension’s nutrient management agent for Ottawa County, is enthused about the chance to showcase the new composter.

"We are looking forward to telling other farmers about the pollution prevention loan program and the in-vessel composter," Gould said. "We hope that after its installation, it will be a model for other farmers to use to reduce and recycle their waste."

Loans up to $100,000 are available to all private business sectors including manufacturing, farming, retail and service. Any lending institution can participate by entering into an agreement with the DEQ.