Our Standards
Farms must meet the following standards to be recommended by us:
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The farm must serve Southwestern Pennsylvania or be located within 100 miles of Pittsburgh.
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The farm must sell their products directly to the consumer or through a farm cooperative.
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Any product/species recommended by us must be produced only on the farm, not supplemented with product from other sources.
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Any product/species recommended by us must be the animal welfare standards below.
(Products/species not listed by us should be considered to either not meet our animal welfare standards or to be supplemented with product from other sources.)
Best:
living outside on pasture,
weather permitting
100% grass-fed, fresh grass
natural weaning
Acceptable:
grass-fed with limited grain,
preferably fermented grain
Unacceptable:
year-round exclusion from pasture
isolation
majority of diet from grain
diet including animal (by-)products
hormones
sub-therapeutic antibiotics
tail-docking (cattle), dehorning
Best:
living outside on pasture for the majority of their lives
shelter available on pasture
organic feed supplemented with
hunting and forage
Acceptable:
layers may be kept in a barn with fresh bedding, fresh air and natural light, ability of birds to express natural behaviors and isolate themselves
Unacceptable:
cages, high stocking densities
lack of engagement, roosts,
or ability of birds to be alone
feed that contains antibiotics,
avian or meat by-products
(hormones are illegal in poultry)
beak-trimming
Best:
living outside on pasture
shelter available on pasture
diet includes hunting and forage
natural weaning
piglets kept with littermates
Acceptable:
indoors with solid floors
clean bedding
engagement that encourages rooting
Unacceptable:
gestation or farrowing stalls
slatted floors
feed that contains antibiotics, or meat by-products
(hormones are illegal in hogs)
nose rings
teeth-trimming or tail-docking
isolation
weaning before 6 weeks
* We may decide to add to, remove or change any of these standards as we acquire more information.