Humane Farm Animal Care® (HFAC), the leading non-profit certification organization improving the lives of farm animals in food production, announced today that Rappahannock Farms (Washington, VA) have been certified as producers of Certified Humane Raised and Handled® lamb.
Rappahannock Farms is a co-operative farming community comprised of Touchstone Farm, Stoney Meadows Farm, Brindabella Farm, and Oak Forest Farm. Each farm raises heritage breed Clun Forest Sheep on a nutritious grass-based diet without antibiotics or hormones and are provided with shelter, resting areas and space sufficient to support natural behavior.
Touchstone Farm, a co-owner of the co-op, was the first Certified Humane™ lamb producer in America and has been part of the Certified Humane Raised and Handled® program since its inception.
Because of the scope of the Certified Humane™ program, “It was important to us from the beginning that our methods for raising sheep be recognized as humane as we’ve always allowed our sheep to have a full and happy life,” said Alan Zuschlag, co-owner, Rappahannock Farms.
Due to his like-mindedness when it came to humane animal treatment, Zuschlag partnered with fellow farm owner Hieronymous (Jerome) Niessen, owner, Stoney Meadows Farm to create the Rappahannock Farms co-op.
“Treating our sheep humanely is not only the right thing, but it also makes good business sense,” said Niessen.
Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of farm animals by certifying their humane treatment. Supported by more than 33 humane organizations, the Certified Humane Raised and Handled® program is nationally recognized as the Gold Standard for certifying animal welfare from birth through slaughter. Since the program was unveiled in May 2003, more than 65 companies, representing hundreds of farms and millions of farm animals, have been certified.
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.
For additional information on HFAC, visit www.certifiedhumane.org.
For additional information on Rappahannock Farms, visit www.rappfarmsva.com.
Humane Farm Animal Care Certifies Virginia Lamb Producers
Posted: May 6, 2009 by Certified Humane
Humane Farm Animal Care® (HFAC), the leading non-profit certification organization improving the lives of farm animals in food production, announced today that Rappahannock Farms (Washington, VA) have been certified as producers of Certified Humane Raised and Handled® lamb.
Rappahannock Farms is a co-operative farming community comprised of Touchstone Farm, Stoney Meadows Farm, Brindabella Farm, and Oak Forest Farm. Each farm raises heritage breed Clun Forest Sheep on a nutritious grass-based diet without antibiotics or hormones and are provided with shelter, resting areas and space sufficient to support natural behavior.
Touchstone Farm, a co-owner of the co-op, was the first Certified Humane™ lamb producer in America and has been part of the Certified Humane Raised and Handled® program since its inception.
Because of the scope of the Certified Humane™ program, “It was important to us from the beginning that our methods for raising sheep be recognized as humane as we’ve always allowed our sheep to have a full and happy life,” said Alan Zuschlag, co-owner, Rappahannock Farms.
Due to his like-mindedness when it came to humane animal treatment, Zuschlag partnered with fellow farm owner Hieronymous (Jerome) Niessen, owner, Stoney Meadows Farm to create the Rappahannock Farms co-op.
“Treating our sheep humanely is not only the right thing, but it also makes good business sense,” said Niessen.
Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of farm animals by certifying their humane treatment. Supported by more than 33 humane organizations, the Certified Humane Raised and Handled® program is nationally recognized as the Gold Standard for certifying animal welfare from birth through slaughter. Since the program was unveiled in May 2003, more than 65 companies, representing hundreds of farms and millions of farm animals, have been certified.
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.
For additional information on HFAC, visit www.certifiedhumane.org.
For additional information on Rappahannock Farms, visit www.rappfarmsva.com.
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