The certification is the only one in the U.S. and Canada that guarantees that food products come from livestock fed a 100 percent grass and forage diet.
To qualify, animals on independent family farms must be raised outdoors on pasture or range their entire lives, and be managed according to Animal Welfare Approved standards.
Ranch owners Gary and Ming Adams raise grass-fed beef cattle and sheep to provide fresh food for their guests and for local restaurants and retail outlets.
“We chose to pursue certified grass fed by AGW because we knew this label would help establish new market opportunities by communicating how our high welfare practices were different from conventional farms,” Gary Adams said.
Since 2012, the Adams farm has also had certified Animal Welfare Approved laying hens roaming their pastures.
Nationwide, demand for grass-fed beef is up. And the philosophy of livestock having a healthy, free-roaming life on the outdoor range up to the day of slaughter has gained in popularity.
Demand for grass-fed beef has increased by 25-30 percent every year over the past decade, according to a study by the Wallace Center of the Winrock Foundation.
But not all grass-fed certifications are meeting consumer expectations, says A Greener World’s director, Emily Moose. Some meat marketed as grass-fed could come from animals confined on dirt feedlots for long periods outside the growing season.
“We’re proud to support farmers like Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch to help them promote their high quality meat and sustainable farming practices to the public,” Moose said. “No other grass-fed label can match the breadth, integrity, and transparency offered by AGW.”
Certified Animal Welfare Approved farms must comply with the highest animal welfare standards, including for handling, transport, and slaughter of animals. Annual review of slaughter facilities is also required as part of the certification. Certified AWA has been lauded by Consumer Reports as the only “highly meaningful” label for farm animal welfare, outdoor access and sustainability.
An online AWA directory lists certified farms, restaurants and products by zip code. Go to www.animalwelfareapproved.org for more information.
