While our focus remains on the welfare of farm animals, Certified Humane® certification is complementary to regenerative systems and individual programs. Regenerative agricultural practices actively improve the environment and soil carbon sequestration; they are a key tool for the future of agriculture in combatting climate change. Intentionally incorporating animals into a pasture system can enrich the soils, promote plant growth, and increase carbon sequestration bringing damaged pasture back to life. Responsible grazing management, part of the Certified Humane® program requirements, will not damage or deplete natural resources and the environment.
The Certified Humane® program verifies farm animal welfare practices that are a critical piece of a regenerative agriculture system. Our standards ensure these animals are not overcrowded and they are offered the right grasses for their species and the region. Grazing habits are managed by rotating animals around a pasture to verdant areas with plant life at the right stage of their growth cycle for grazing and maximum nutrient benefit. Rotational Grazing, done correctly, will nourish the animals and stimulate long term pasture growth, naturally holding carbon in the soil.
Posted: November 20, 2025 by Certified Humane®
The science and humanity of compliance — Certified Humane®
How our Certification Policy Director upholds our standards with science and humanity Since joining Certified Humane® in 2015, Amber Doty has worked at every point in the certification process. She has been the inspector. She’s helped farmers get started in the certification process, breaking down the steps to join the program. She led the Compliance …
Posted: May 17, 2025 by Certified Humane®
Regenerative and Sustainable Agriculture
While our focus remains on the welfare of farm animals, Certified Humane® certification is complementary to regenerative systems and individual programs. Regenerative agricultural practices actively improve the environment and soil carbon sequestration; they are a key tool for the future of agriculture in combatting climate change. Intentionally incorporating animals into a pasture system can enrich the soils, promote plant growth, and increase carbon sequestration bringing damaged pasture back to life. Responsible grazing management, part of the Certified Humane® program requirements, will not damage or deplete natural resources and the environment.
The Certified Humane® program verifies farm animal welfare practices that are a critical piece of a regenerative agriculture system. Our standards ensure these animals are not overcrowded and they are offered the right grasses for their species and the region. Grazing habits are managed by rotating animals around a pasture to verdant areas with plant life at the right stage of their growth cycle for grazing and maximum nutrient benefit. Rotational Grazing, done correctly, will nourish the animals and stimulate long term pasture growth, naturally holding carbon in the soil.
Posted: October 21, 2024 by Certified Humane®
How Dr. Rosangela Poletto helped grow Certified Humane® into a global movement
Adele Douglass Jolley, the founder of Certified Humane®, never imagined how the program’s reach would grow on such a global scale. The reason it did so is largely because a Brazilian animal welfare researcher — studying for her doctorate at Purdue University in 2005 — decided to lend her expertise as an inspector for the burgeoning program.
Posted: August 7, 2024 by Certified Humane®
The legacy of Dr. Joy Mench, trailblazing animal behavior scientist
Dr. Joy Mench was one of the founding scientists and veterinarians whom Adele Douglass Jolley recruited to adopt farm animals certification standards for the United States market.
“We had a really good group of people working together,” said Joy as she recalled those early days, now more than 20 years ago. “We each brought different kinds of expertise.
Posted: July 10, 2024 by Certified Humane®
Chicken expert Dr. Richard Blatchford explains the science and heart behind farm animal standards
As a scientist, Richard Blatchford, Ph.D., loves that new scientific knowledge can inform better decisions for farm animals.
“In animal welfare, really small changes you make actually have a really big impact, given the sheer numbers of animals involved,” Richard said.