The Van Gelder farm balances work and play on the family farm by hosting weddings amidst their hog and manure pumping operations.
For a quarter of a century, Brad Van Gelder has dedicated his life to the art of pig farming. His extensive experience has not only made him an expert in the field but has also allowed him to provide a valuable service to his community by hauling manure for fellow pork producers. His entrepreneurial spirit didn't stop there; recognizing an opportunity, Brad and his family converted a newly built shop on his property into a wedding venue. This venue quickly became a sought-after location for nuptials, with every weekend booked for the season, marrying rustic charm with modern amenities.
A major concern for Brad was the potential impact of the odors from his hog barns on the wedding venue's ambiance. He was worried that the proximity to the barns would be off-putting for guests. However, at a recent event, the wedding party was pleasantly surprised to find that they could barely detect unpleasant smells, even when they were less than 100 feet away, posing for pictures amongst the trees. This was a significant relief for Brad, who was delighted to know that his hog barns could coexist harmoniously with his new venture without causing discomfort to his patrons.
Brad noticed a marked improvement in the quality of the manure from his barns after starting to use PitStop Works. The treated manure was noticeably more consistent and darker in color, which Brad recognized as an indicator of higher nitrogen availability for his crops. Not only was the manure easier to agitate within the pit, but the pumping process to the fields was also more efficient. His crew could easily discern the difference when hauling manure from barns treated with PitStop as opposed to those that weren't, with a significant reduction in odors from the treated pits.
While putting a precise dollar value on the return on investment (ROI) from using PitStop Works is challenging, Brad firmly believes it's a worthwhile expense. The positive impact is manifold: his neighbors are happier with the reduced odors, his crops benefit from the improved manure quality, and his pumping business runs more smoothly. Moreover, the success of his family's wedding venue is bolstered by his ability to manage odors, ensuring that guests have pleasant memories of their rural celebrations without the concern of barnyard smells.