A newly formed group of family dairy farms, Grass Point Farms, is the first national dairy to be certified to use the “Certified Humane Raised and Handled” label on its fluid milk, butter and cheese products.
Based in Wisconsin, Grass Point Farms is the 46th company to receive Humane Farm Animal Care certification since the nonprofit organization’s program was unveiled in May 2003. The “Certified Humane Raised and Handled” label assures consumers that a meat, poultry, egg or dairy product has been produced according to HFAC’s precise standards for humane farm animal treatment. Animals must receive a nutritious diet without antibiotics or hormones and must be raised with shelter, resting areas and space sufficient to support natural behavior.
Grass Point Farms is comprised of seven family farms that graze dairy cows on Wisconsin’s rich grasslands, employing traditional rotational grazing methods used by the region’s original farmers. Successful “grazers,” as they are sometimes called, spend years creating an ecosystem in which soils, plants, wetlands, woodlands and cows coexist in a balance that supports the cows’ natural behavior.
“Grassland grazing greatly enhances a cow’s health and vitality,” said Chad Pawlak, president of Grass Point Farms. “No matter what the season, cows prefer to graze and to experience something more than just standing in one place.”
A typical dairy cow takes 6,000 bites of grass each day. “For each bite the cow harvests for herself, we all benefit from reduced costs associated with the farmer harvesting the grass, processing it into bail form, storing the grass and then delivering the grass as a meal.”
Grass Point is producing fluid milk, butter and nine artisanal cheeses, including blue cheese, feta, cheddar, smoked cheddar, cottage cheese and Colby. Its products are being launched at D’Agostino and Foodtown stores in New York and New Jersey starting March 1. Additional information about Grass Point Farms can be found at www.grasspoint.com.
HFAC’s Animal Care Standards were developed by a veritable “Who’s Who” of national and international animal scientists and farm-animal welfare experts. Producer compliance with the HFAC standards is verified through annual on-site visits by HFAC’s third-party inspectors.
HFAC is a national nonprofit organization supported by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), regional and local animal protection organizations, foundations and individuals. More information can be found at HFAC’s website, www.certifiedhumane.org.
News from Humane Farm Animal Care
P.O. Box 727, Herndon, Virginia 20172 – (703) 435-3883
For Immediate Release
Contact: Michele Wells, Humane Farm Animal Care – (303) 417-0696
Grass Point Farms of Wisconsin to Offer “Certified Humane” Butter, Milk and Cheese
Posted: February 7, 2006 by Certified Humane
A newly formed group of family dairy farms, Grass Point Farms, is the first national dairy to be certified to use the “Certified Humane Raised and Handled” label on its fluid milk, butter and cheese products.
Based in Wisconsin, Grass Point Farms is the 46th company to receive Humane Farm Animal Care certification since the nonprofit organization’s program was unveiled in May 2003. The “Certified Humane Raised and Handled” label assures consumers that a meat, poultry, egg or dairy product has been produced according to HFAC’s precise standards for humane farm animal treatment. Animals must receive a nutritious diet without antibiotics or hormones and must be raised with shelter, resting areas and space sufficient to support natural behavior.
Grass Point Farms is comprised of seven family farms that graze dairy cows on Wisconsin’s rich grasslands, employing traditional rotational grazing methods used by the region’s original farmers. Successful “grazers,” as they are sometimes called, spend years creating an ecosystem in which soils, plants, wetlands, woodlands and cows coexist in a balance that supports the cows’ natural behavior.
“Grassland grazing greatly enhances a cow’s health and vitality,” said Chad Pawlak, president of Grass Point Farms. “No matter what the season, cows prefer to graze and to experience something more than just standing in one place.”
A typical dairy cow takes 6,000 bites of grass each day. “For each bite the cow harvests for herself, we all benefit from reduced costs associated with the farmer harvesting the grass, processing it into bail form, storing the grass and then delivering the grass as a meal.”
Grass Point is producing fluid milk, butter and nine artisanal cheeses, including blue cheese, feta, cheddar, smoked cheddar, cottage cheese and Colby. Its products are being launched at D’Agostino and Foodtown stores in New York and New Jersey starting March 1. Additional information about Grass Point Farms can be found at www.grasspoint.com.
HFAC’s Animal Care Standards were developed by a veritable “Who’s Who” of national and international animal scientists and farm-animal welfare experts. Producer compliance with the HFAC standards is verified through annual on-site visits by HFAC’s third-party inspectors.
HFAC is a national nonprofit organization supported by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), regional and local animal protection organizations, foundations and individuals. More information can be found at HFAC’s website, www.certifiedhumane.org.
News from Humane Farm Animal Care
P.O. Box 727, Herndon, Virginia 20172 – (703) 435-3883
For Immediate Release
Contact: Michele Wells, Humane Farm Animal Care – (303) 417-0696
Category: press