April 2021

Kingdom Provisions: Purchases the Durham Road Property

Kingdom Equity Partners LLC purchased the former Gouldey's Meats property at 5960 Durham Road in Plumstead Township and established Kingdom Provisions LLC to operate a commercial slaughterhouse and butcher shop. The property was already subject to an Agricultural Conservation Easement intended to preserve farmland and limit non-agricultural commercial development. At the time of the purchase, few residents anticipated that the facility would become the focus of years of complaints, investigations, lawsuits, and enforcement actions involving waste management, odors, runoff, and easement compliance.

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Early 2023

Kingdom Provisions: Commercial Slaughterhouse Operations Begin

Kingdom Provisions began commercial slaughterhouse operations. Almost immediately, nearby residents reported strong odors, increasing fly populations, and large numbers of turkey vultures gathering around the property. Neighbors described conditions that interfered with outdoor activities and enjoyment of their homes. These complaints would eventually trigger investigations by local, county, state, and federal agencies.

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Spring 2023

Kingdom Provisions: Residents Begin Reporting Odors, Flies, and Vermin

Within months of opening, the facility triggered severe community impacts. Residents immediately documented a surge in vector activity, reporting large fly populations and an increasing presence of vermin. The putrid odor of rotting flesh became so intense that outdoor activities were impossible. Furthermore, community members expressed deep concerns regarding waste handling practices and the outdoor storage of animal byproducts. [1]

 

​Spring–Summer 2023

Kingdom Provisions: DEP Investigations Begin

As complaints increased, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) began investigating concerns involving wastewater management, slaughterhouse residuals, runoff, odors, and environmental compliance. Over time, more than one hundred complaints were reportedly submitted regarding conditions associated with the facility, bringing increasing scrutiny from regulators and local officials.

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July 31, 2023

Kingdom Provisions: The Magnitude of the Operation Becomes Clear

During a formal inspection, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) documented that Kingdom Provisions was processing approximately 300 to 400 animals per week.

This was no traditional local butcher shop. This staggering figure provided the first clear indication that the facility was operating as a commercial, industrial-scale slaughterhouse rather than a neighborhood meat counter. For many residents, this specific number became a critical benchmark. It vividly illustrated that the sheer volume of production occurring at the site far exceeded anything a traditional local butcher shop would ever handle, raising immediate questions about whether the facility's systems could safely manage such operation.

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August 4, 2023

Kingdom Provisions: Township Enforcement Begins

Plumstead Township issued an Enforcement Notice alleging zoning violations and the emission of odorous gases. The notice represented one of the first formal governmental actions taken in response to community complaints and marked the beginning of a lengthy legal and regulatory dispute.
 

August 17, 2023

Kingdom Provisions: DEP Conducts Odor Investigation

DEP conducted an odor investigation in response to resident complaints.

During the inspection, DEP did not identify odor conditions sufficient to support a formal odor violation at that time.

However, the investigation did not resolve community concerns. Complaints continued, and many residents remained convinced that odor problems persisted.

The inspection would later be viewed as one of several early investigations occurring before more significant enforcement actions developed.

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October 19, 2023

Kingdom Provisions: USDA Humane Handling Violations

Federal inspectors with the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service documented an inhumane slaughter incident involving a steer. USDA responded by issuing a Notice of Suspension, temporarily halting operations until corrective measures were implemented. The incident expanded public concerns beyond environmental issues and brought national regulatory attention to the facility.
 

November 2023

Kingdom Provisions: Animal Welfare Investigation Begins

The Bucks County SPCA and Bucks County District Attorney's Office launched an investigation into allegations involving slaughter practices at the facility.

The investigation followed reports submitted by animal welfare advocates and further increased public attention surrounding Kingdom Provisions.

The involvement of both animal welfare authorities and criminal investigators added another layer of scrutiny to a facility that was already facing environmental and land-use complaints.

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January 18, 2024

Kingdom Provisions: Second USDA Humane Handling Violation

USDA inspectors documented additional animal handling concerns involving sheep during unloading operations.

Federal officials again intervened, reinforcing concerns regarding operational practices and compliance with humane handling standards.

The second federal action contributed to a growing pattern of regulatory attention involving multiple agencies at multiple levels of government

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March 2024

Kingdom Provisions: The "Blood Field" Incident

Following heavy rainfall, blood and slaughterhouse processing liquids reportedly migrated from fields where food processing residuals had been applied. Residents reported dark red liquid appearing on driveways, lawns, and neighboring properties. Images of the incident circulated widely through local media and social media, generating substantial public attention and transforming what many viewed as an odor issue into a visible environmental controversy.

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April 24, 2024

Kingdom Provisions: Agricultural Preservation Inspection

Following mounting concerns regarding activities occurring on the preserved farm, officials associated with Bucks County's Agricultural Land Preservation Program began reviewing operations at the property.

Inspectors evaluated compliance with the Agricultural Conservation Easement and reviewed whether activities occurring on the property remained consistent with the restrictions intended to protect preserved farmland.

These reviews would later result in warning letters, violation notices, and ultimately litigation.

 

Agricultural Preservation officials conducted an inspection of the property and documented concerns involving easement compliance and land-use activities.

The inspection marked the beginning of a formal review process that would continue throughout the spring and summer.

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July 9, 2024

Kingdom Provisions: Plumstead Township Files Lawsuit

After months of complaints, inspections, and enforcement efforts, Plumstead Township filed an equity action against Kingdom Provisions. The lawsuit focused on grading activities, stormwater management concerns, and waste handling practices occurring on the property. Township officials argued that court intervention was necessary to address ongoing compliance issues.

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July 24, 2024

Kingdom Provisions: Bucks County and Heritage Conservancy File Lawsuit

Bucks County and Heritage Conservancy filed a separate lawsuit alleging violations of the Agricultural Conservation Easement protecting the property. The lawsuit argued that certain activities occurring on the farm were inconsistent with easement requirements intended to preserve agricultural land. Unlike the Township litigation, this lawsuit remains unresolved.

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June 2025

Kingdom Provisions: Consent Decree Reached with Plumstead Township

Kingdom Provisions and Plumstead Township entered into a Consent Decree resolving the Township lawsuit. Under the agreement, the facility agreed to stop spreading food processing residuals at the Durham Road property, limit slaughter operations to 1,500 units per month, and improve waste containment systems. The separate Bucks County and Heritage Conservancy easement lawsuit remained active.

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Late 2025 – Early 2026

Shull Farm: Waste Operations Shift to a local Farm

As legal and regulatory pressure increased at the Durham Road facility, Kingdom Provisions began transporting food processing residuals to a Farm on Groveland Road. Residents living near the farm soon began observing odors, flies, and nuisance conditions similar to those previously reported near the slaughterhouse. Many neighbors believed that problems associated with Durham Road had simply been relocated rather than resolved.

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March 26, 2026

Shull Farm: Agricultural Conservation Easement Inspection

The Land Trust of Bucks County conducted a monitoring inspection of the Shull Farm Agricultural Conservation Easement as part of Bucks County's Agricultural Land Preservation Program. Inspectors evaluated compliance with conservation requirements, and findings from the inspection later became part of the basis for a formal violation notice.

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April 16, 2026

Shull Farm: DEP Documents Major Violations 

Responding to complaints regarding odors and flies, DEP conducted a detailed inspection of Shull Farm. Inspectors documented exposed animal remains, insufficient cover material on compost piles, standing leachate, strong odors, fly infestations, and liquid waste movement through portions of the operation. DEP issued multiple violations and required corrective actions.

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April 23, 2026

Shull Farm: DEP Follow-Up Inspection and Summer Shutdown Announcement

DEP returned for a follow-up inspection and documented significant improvements compared with conditions observed one week earlier. During the inspection, Kingdom Provisions informed DEP that acceptance of food processing residuals at Shull Farm would cease for the remainder of the summer in response to DEP findings and neighborhood complaints. Despite improvements, DEP kept the violations open pending further corrective actions.

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May 5, 2026

Shull Farm: Conservation District Reviews Agricultural Plans

The Bucks County Conservation District conducted an Agricultural Operations Inspection and reviewed Shull Farm's Agricultural Erosion and Sedimentation Plan and Land Application System Plan. Inspectors recommended revisions to better address food processing residual management, runoff controls, nutrient management, and protections for nearby waterways. The review did not identify Chapter 91 or Chapter 102 violations but highlighted areas requiring additional Best Management Practices.
 

May 6, 2026

Shull Farm: DEP Documents Runoff and Water Quality Concerns

DEP Solid Waste staff, DEP Clean Water personnel, Bucks County Conservation District representatives, and Land Trust officials conducted a joint inspection of the property. Inspectors documented black leachate around compost piles, runoff pathways extending away from the operation, dead vegetation, and incompletely composted material containing fur and bone fragments. The inspection raised concerns regarding potential impacts to an unnamed tributary of Geddes Run and expanded the investigation beyond nuisance complaints into potential water-quality issues.

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May 12, 2026

Shull Farm: DEP Conducts Follow-Up Compliance Inspection

DEP inspectors returned to evaluate conditions following earlier enforcement actions. The inspection focused on compost management practices, odor control measures, fly activity, leachate management, and implementation of corrective actions required after the April inspections. DEP continued monitoring compliance while reviewing progress made by operators.

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May 26, 2026

Shull Farm: Agricultural Preservation Violation Notice Issued

The Bucks County Agricultural Land Preservation Program issued a formal Letter of Concern to Arthur Shull. Officials concluded that the farm's conservation planning documents did not adequately address food processing residual management and directed updates to address composting operations, runoff prevention, groundwater protection, and related Best Management Practices.
 

​June 2, 2026

Kingdom Provisions: DEP Documents more Violations 

DEP inspectors conducted an inspection at the Durham Road slaughterhouse and documented uncovered slaughter waste, leaking containers, decomposition odors, fly infestations, and improper waste storage practices. The inspection demonstrated that regulatory concerns involving Kingdom Provisions continued even after food processing residual deliveries to Shull Farm had been suspended.

June 3, 2026

Kingdom Provisions: Township Issues Notice to Cure

Plumstead Township issued a formal Notice to Cure stating Kingdom Provisions violated multiple provisions of the court-approved Settlement Agreement with the township. The Township cited DEP's findings involving leaking waste containers, uncovered slaughter by-products, odors, flies, improper storage practices, and inadequate waste containment. Kingdom Provisions was given 14 days to correct the violations and submit a written response or face enforcement action under the settlement agreement.

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June 16, 2026

Shull Farm:  DEP Conducts Follow-Up Compliance Inspection

While no violations were cited, DEP requested additional information regarding the condition and integrity of the composting pads and reminded operators to address groundwater and storage concerns within their management plans These included incorporating the use of cheese whey into the farm's Food Processing Residuals Management and land application plans.  DEP stated that further investigation of the entire composting pad is still needed to evaluate its overall condition and structural integrity.