The Lands at Hillside Farms – Shavertown, PA

The Lands at Hillside Farms raises Certified Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World (AGW) dairy cattle. The Lands at Hillside Farms is a historic, non-profit 501(c)(3) 412-acre educational dairy farm located in Shavertown, Pennsylvania.

The farm was purchased from the Conyngham family in 2009, and is now a “living classroom”, welcoming thousands of regional students of all ages each year. The farm offers several curriculum-based farm programs, and students work side-by-side with educators and “co-faculty” farm animals to learn about science, agriculture, ecology, history, nutrition, animal husbandry, land conservation, sustainable living, and community service.

The Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW dairy cow herd is raised outdoors on pasture and according to the highest animal welfare standards. The cows access a bedded pack dairy barn, which is a somewhat recent transition from the tie stall system previously used. “Our cows are vastly more peaceful and calm. The comfort of being free from tie stalls permits these beautiful animals to behave as they wish, even on days during which the weather keeps them in. They eat when they want, they move when they want, they breed when they want and they lay sprawling as they wish,” says Chet Mozloom, Executive Director at The Lands at Hillside Farms.

The farm was excited to achieve Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW status for their dairy cows. “Meeting the standards of Certified Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World was our ultimate goal. There are always ways to improve, but this achievement is a new beginning that may lead to even better standards for care. There is no doubt that this is the greatest step we have taken along the lines of protecting our herd and land, both of which are the basis for all we do at The Lands at Hillside Farms.”

Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW dairy products from The Lands at Hillside Farms is available direct from the farm in their on-farm store. For more information about The Lands at Hillside Farms, visit thelandsathillsidefarms.org and contact the farm at chet@hillsidefarms.org or 570-696-4500. Follow the farm on Facebook and Instagram.