MOVA Technologies Awarded $1.3 Million from Virginia DEQ to Reduce Poultry Emissions and Boost Farm Performance
Precision ammonia capture system targets cleaner waterways, healthier birds, and more profitable farms
John Schott
May 13, 2025
PULASKI, Va. — MOVA Technologies has been awarded up to $1.3 million through the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Pay-for-Outcomes Nonpoint Source Pollution Reduction Grant Program—an innovative, results-based initiative that funds only proven reductions in nutrient pollution flowing into the Chesapeake Bay watershed. MOVA’s project was one of just 9 selected from 30 applications, earning eligibility for up to $19 million in total funding. Projects were evaluated based on their potential pollution reduction impact, technical readiness, and implementation feasibility.
At the heart of MOVA’s award is its FEATHER™ System—a next-generation air purification platform engineered to capture and reduce toxic ammonia levels inside poultry barns. The system delivers two core benefits: it enhances indoor air quality to support bird health, welfare, and farm productivity, and it significantly reduces ammonia emissions, a source of nitrogen pollution in nearby waterways.
“Recognition from DEQ reinforces the importance of practical, market-driven solutions to environmental challenges,” said John Schott, CEO of MOVA Technologies. “By removing ammonia at the source, we’re not just protecting water quality—we’re creating healthier barns and stronger business outcomes for poultry producers.”
According to DEQ projections, MOVA’s project will prevent an estimated 47,100 pounds of nitrogen from entering the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
“By improving indoor air quality, we see better bird performance and lower heating costs,” said Luke Allison, Chief Advancement Officer at MOVA Technologies. “That translates to higher farm profits and a reduced environmental footprint for the industry.”
Supported by a previous grant award from the USDA, field trials of the FEATHER™ System are set to begin this summer at a commercial poultry facility in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Outcomes from the pilot will inform a broader rollout planned for 2026, including multi-farm implementation agreements across the region.
DEQ Director Michael Rolband emphasized the program’s broader value: “These projects push the envelope of what’s possible for the Bay—and at the lowest possible cost for nonpoint source projects.” The nine funded projects are expected to collectively eliminate approximately 580,000 pounds of nitrogen from entering the Bay, at an average cost of just $32.73 per pound.
About MOVA Technologies:
MOVA Technologies is an AgTech company based in Pulaski, Virginia. The company develops advanced air filtration and health monitoring technologies that improve poultry house air quality, strengthen flock performance and biosecurity, and deliver sustainable, ROI-driven outcomes for producers. Its flagship FEATHER™ System represents a breakthrough solution for reducing agricultural nitrogen pollution while boosting farm productivity.
