What's happening in our area
Residents throughout Plumstead Township have come together to address growing environmental, public health, and quality-of-life concerns related to the handling, transport, and land application of animal processing residuals and slaughterhouse-derived waste materials within the township.
Over the past two years, residents have observed and reported the transport and management of residual materials originating from Kingdom Provisions, a commercial slaughterhouse and meat processing facility located on Durham Road. These materials have been transported to farmland within Plumstead Township, including preserved agricultural land, where they are being managed through composting and land application practices.
Inspections, and enforcement actions have documented numerous violations and compliance issues related to waste handling practices at the Kingdom Provisions facility and the management of slaughterhouse-derived Food Processing Residual (FPRs) composting at the Groveland Road site.
Residents continue to seek clarity regarding the movement of these materials, the regulatory oversight governing their management, and the impacts on neighboring properties, waterways, and the broader community.
There have been documented ongoing issues with odors, vectors, runoff, and overall quality of life. These concerns have prompted increased public engagement, regulatory review, and recent efforts by township officials to consider local ordinances addressing the handling of Food Processing Residuals (FPRs).
Our goal is to promote transparency, encourage informed public discussion, and support responsible practices that protect both agriculture and the health, safety, and quality of life of Plumstead Township residents.
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Residents in Pipersville have filed numerous complaints about the Kingdom Provisions slaughterhouse, citing overwhelming odors, fly infestations, and concerns about animal waste contaminating nearby land and water. State agencies, including the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, have conducted inspections and issued violations, but residents say the problems persist. The situation has led to ongoing legal action and growing frustration among the community, who feel the response has not adequately resolved the issue.
https://buckscountybeacon.com/2024/07/pipersville-residents-held-hostage-by-slaughterhouse-horrors/
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) cited Shull Farm in Plumstead Township after an inspection found improperly managed compost piles containing waste from Kingdom Provisions slaughterhouse. Inspectors reported exposed animal remains, large numbers of flies, and pools of liquid byproducts around the composting area. DEP determined the farm failed to properly control conditions that could create odors, public nuisances, and environmental concerns. As a result, Shull Farm agreed to stop accepting new slaughterhouse waste through the summer and was required to develop a corrective action plan. The DEP stated it will continue monitoring the site. The findings add to ongoing concerns from nearby residents, who have complained for years about odors, waste management practices, and environmental impacts associated with Kingdom Provisions and its waste disposal
The Kingdom Provisions slaughterhouse reached a settlement that imposes stricter rules on how animal waste must be handled and limits how many animals can be processed. The agreement includes oversight measures and operational requirements aimed at reducing odors, environmental impact, and community complaints. While officials see the settlement as a step toward compliance, some residents remain concerned about whether it will fully resolve the ongoing issues.
State regulators have raised concerns about the disposal of slaughterhouse waste from Kingdom Provisions after inspecting Art Shull Farm, where the material has been transported since waste spreading largely ceased at the Durham Road facility. A Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection inspection found improper composting practices, leachate management issues, and conditions that attracted flies and other vectors. The agency also stated the farm appeared to be operating a waste disposal facility without the required permit. Following the inspection, Shull Farm agreed to stop accepting additional slaughterhouse residuals through the summer while regulators continue oversight. Although township officials later reported improved conditions and found Kingdom Provisions in compliance with its settlement agreement, DEP inspections and monitoring of the Shull Farm site remain ongoing. The findings have renewed concerns among nearby residents about the handling of slaughterhouse waste and its potential impacts on public health, quality of life, and the environment.
The Kingdom Provisions slaughterhouse reached a settlement that imposes stricter rules on how animal waste must be handled and limits how many animals can be processed. The agreement includes oversight measures and operational requirements aimed at reducing odors, environmental impact, and community complaints. While officials see the settlement as a step toward compliance, some residents remain concerned about whether it will fully resolve the ongoing issues.
Arthur Shull says the family farm intends to resume composting food processing residuals from Kingdom Provisions this fall after spending the summer improving its practices. According to Shull, the operation successfully composted slaughterhouse residuals for more than a year by mixing them with wood chips and managing temperatures, but problems emerged after a key employee left and wood chips were replaced with mulch. State inspectors later cited the farm for improper composting and leachate management, prompting a temporary halt to the operation. Shull maintains that composting can be conducted responsibly and argues that the resulting fertilizer has improved soil quality on the farm. While residents remain concerned about odors, water quality, and the return of slaughterhouse waste to the area, the farm plans to work with regulators and study other Pennsylvania composting operations in an effort to develop improved management practices before restarting the program.
