From AGW-Certified Farmers:
Bill Stuart of Stuart Family Farm says,
“Consumer demand for food that meets high animal welfare standards has overtaken all other criteria. Our customers ask about our animal welfare certification and it is at the forefront of our business. Most clients say their biggest concern when purchasing meat is if the animal was humanely raised and how well the animal was handled at slaughter. It is one thing to tell our customers ourselves, but to have this trusted AGW certification to back it up is huge.”
Sarah Hoffmann of Green Dirt Farm says,
“As our business has grown, a lot more work goes into marketing our products and therefore our AGW certification is more important than ever—it gives our customers a window into our farms and confidence in our practices. As the only label that guarantees truly pasture-based management and recognized as having the highest standards for welfare, it’s been a great fit to reflect our practices. We’re proud to be among the first farms to be Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW, and look forward to continuing to grow with AGW!”
Jeremiah Jones of GrassRoots Pork Co. says,
“We’re proud to be certified by A Greener World and we know certifications offer a way to add value to our pork, as well as the group marketing efforts of the North Carolina Natural Hog Growers Association. We can assure potential customers that every NCNHGA pig is raised outdoors on pasture, according to the highest welfare standards in the industry. It gives our customers real proof of what they’re buying.”
Christy Lohof of LOHOF Grass-Finished BEEF says,
“When we got Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW certification last year we were really surprised how many of our established grassfed beef customers were genuinely excited to know our animal welfare practices were being verified by a trusted third party. Becoming Certified Grassfed by AGW seemed like a natural extension since we have always been a grass-based ranch. Now that our meat is in several Sheridan retailers, having a label that verifies we are grassfed and high animal welfare is valuable because customers who don’t know us can look at the logo and be confident that the meat is third-party verified to be 100% grassfed.”
Greg Newhall of Windy N Ranch says,
“I’m a huge Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW flag-waver. I think what you do is unparalleled in the industry in terms of how you promote, the quality of your inspectors, and the kindness you show in offering grants. You do so much to support the kind and gentle farming approach as opposed to the industrial model.”
Mac Baldwin of Baldwin Family Farms says,
“I just wanted to let you know how much I really appreciate you and all you’ve done to help us. [Our latest retail relationship] wouldn’t have happened without you, so I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you.”
Gail Cooley of Patient Wait Farm says,
“We just got done with the CFSA Upstate Farm Tour — over 450 visitors to the farm. We proudly displayed our Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW banner and handed out the consumer fliers. Matter of fact, several people told us they came out to our farm because we are Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW.”
Greg Newhall of Windy N Ranch says,
“You and your organization have been a pleasure to work with.”
Steffen Schneider of Hawthorne Valley Farm says,
“I really like the standards–they’re achievable and good practices. I’m really happy now to be certified. It’s a wonderful service to provide free to farmers. Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW has a presence in the marketplace. People know it and look for it. Sometimes people will call me with questions and when I tell them that we’re Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW, they’re happy to know we’re part of the program. You run a very customer-friendly and professional organization.”
Timothy Haws of Autumn’s Harvest Farm says,
“[Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW] gives customers an idea of what we’re doing on the farm without them having to come out. Since we got certified, we’ve had a 20 percent increase in sales. People love it!”
