McKinley greets Tony and
Lois Alt at their Eight is Enough
Farm in Hardy County.
The Alts discussed their
current lawsuit against the
EPA, which claimed they were
polluting and ordered them to
obtain an NPDES permit. Rather
than get the permit, Lois asked
the EPA to show her what they
were doing wrong and how to fix
it. The EPA refused.
The Alts have received awards
recognizing them for their
environmental stewardship.
Rick Woodworth, owner of
Flying W Farms in Burlington,
WV., takes Congressman
McKinley on a behind-the-scenes
tour of his meat processing facility.
Flying W operates a restaurant
and store featuring meats
processed on-site. They also
have a farm market offering fresh
produce and colorful annuals.
Woodworth explained to the
congressman the tremendous
expenses incurred in setting up
his processing facility, because
of federal regulations. Many of
these requirements do nothing to
improve food quality or safety,
but federal regulators turn a deaf
ear to suggestions or protests
from agriculture producers.
“Washington should not be
burdening farmers with excessive
regulations,” McKinley said.
The group enjoyed a delicious
lunch at Woodworth’s restaurant
before continuing on to visit the
Alt farm.
West Virginia Farm Bureau News 25