In addition to our regular update this week, we’re excited to share that Whole Foods Market recently announced it is now including additional third-party certifications as approved certifiers for their frozen, smoked, cooked, and cured meat suppliers, including Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW. This is a significant step forward for animal welfare, as we believe that retailers encouraging their suppliers to achieve Animal Welfare Approved by AGW certification can have a positive impact on animal welfare, provide shoppers with products that they can feel good about and expands market access for sustainable, high-welfare farmers.

Please read on for the latest from AGW.

New Issue: Sustainable Farming Magazine

The Summer 2024 issue of AGW’s Sustainable Farming magazine is ready to view online. Written for farmers, ranchers, producers and anyone interested in sustainable, high-welfare livestock production, the magazine includes news, opinion and program activities, as well as in-depth technical features and case studies. We hope you enjoy it!

USDA Grasslands Conservation Reserve Program

USDA recently announced that farmers can sign up for the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (Grassland CRP) through June 28th. Offered through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), Grassland CRP is a voluntary working lands conservation program enabling participants to conserve grasslands and provide important conservation benefits for wildlife, soil health and carbon sequestration, all while continuing most grazing and haying practices.

New Listings: Farm to Farm Sales

Farm to Farm Sales is our space for AGW-certified farmers and ranchers to place advertisements for livestock, forage or feed, farm equipment—or even to lease pasture for grazing. The service is free and new entries were recently added.

In the Media

• Supermarket News and Specialty Food News featured the Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW program in “Whole Foods expands animal welfare review” and “Whole Foods Expands animal welfare, third-party certification standards” 

• The Pilot features Montgomery Sheep Farm in Biscoe, NC in “Sun-Raised Sheep: Farming on the Bleating Edge.”

• CNET features the Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW certification in “Here’s the One Chicken Label I Look For (Spoiler: It’s Not ‘Organic’).”

• Illinois Times features Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery in Champaign, IL in “Keep picnic menus simple.”

• The Times-Tribune features The Lands at Hillside Farms in Shavertown, PA in “Pennsylvania Creameries in Lackawanna, Luzerne Counties Prepare for a Sweet Summer with Scooped: An Ice Cream Trail.”

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