Our goal in this article is to demystify all the details and reasoning behind the certification and explain how a farm or ranch or processor becomes Certified Humane® and can remain on the program through annual audits year after year.
First, you should understand the values and principles that guide the Certified Humane® program. You can read them in full in this article.
Here are the highlights:
- Our vision is for all farm animals worldwide to live in a comfortable, healthy environment that suits their natural instincts and behaviors.
- The animal welfare scientists and veterinarians on our volunteer Scientific Committee contribute to keep our Farm Animal Standards up to date with the most current peer-reviewed research.
- Our Farm Animal Standards are tailored to each species but follow the same Key Care Principles, including compassionate handling. The standards are available in full on our website to any consumer who wishes to review them.
- To make meaningful progress in improving the lives of farm animals, we must grapple with daunting realities of our global dependance on animals for food. We encourage you to learn those realities here.
We also want to state that animal welfare scientists and veterinarians act as independent inspectors to perform in-depth audits for species they specialize in. We have always contracted with third-party animal welfare specialists to ensure the most accurate and non-biased reporting.
With all those principles in mind, let’s dive into the process of becoming Certified Humane®!
Step 1: A farm or ranch asks to become certified
While this first step may seem obvious, it’s important to point out that the Certified Humane® is a voluntary program run by a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Humane Farm Animal Care.
We are not a government organization nor affiliated with any regulatory body or industry organization. We do not enforce animal welfare policies for people who aren’t on our program. Our standards require that trained handlers understand the needs of farm animals and how to apply those needs to their daily routine. That requires a long-term commitment to sustainable practices, not a quick fix.
Farmers and ranchers ask us to certify their operations because they recognize that shoppers trust the Certified Humane® logo. More and more shoppers are willing to pay extra in the grocery aisle if it means that they are supporting the responsible care of farm animals.
Our program is effective because it’s driven by consumer demand and by the compassion of farmers, ranchers and producers who want to do better.
Many operations who seek certification with us are already following at least some responsible care practices. They seek us out because our transparent standards allow them to showcase the ways they are doing right by the animals in their care.
Step 2: The applicant submits an application
When a new applicant submits an inquiry online, we respond immediately to begin their certification process.
Our preliminary conversations clarify the applicant’s business model and so we can determine which standards apply to them. We also answer any questions they have about their anticipated eligibility, fees, the audit process, the forms they need to submit, and the approximate timeline to final certification.
Applications usually include species-specific forms, one for each kind of animal the farm cares for at each site.
They also include one for each facility in the entire supply chain, including any slaughtering and processing locations. The process includes traceability audits at any facilities that create the retail packaging, ensuring all products with our logo actually came from a Certified Humane® farm.
In order to become certified, care during every part of a farm animal’s life MUST meet our Farm Animal Standards.
Step 3: We review submitted forms
Before we go onsite to a farm, ranch or processing operation, our Compliance Team reviews the application and relevant form(s) to see if any obvious corrections need to be made.
Step 4: An independent inspector conduct audit(s) of the entire operation
When the applicant passes the initial review, we’ll assign independent third-party inspectors to audit each farm, ranch or facility. The inspector will contact the applicant to schedule the needed audit(s) at a mutually convenient time.
Who are the inspectors?
The independent inspectors are highly qualified animal scientists or experts in the food industry. Many are veterinarians or have a Ph.D. in their field. They have hands-on farm experience with types(s) of animals they audit, and they’re familiar with practical ways to apply the best animal welfare practices.
Most importantly, inspectors care deeply about farm animals. They are passionate about improving their lives.
What happens during an audit?
The job of the inspector is to observe every site and every aspect of the applicant’s operation in order to assess compliance with our Farm Animal Standards. He or she will also review documents and records, interview the people who care for the animals, and conduct traceability audits.
The independent inspectors do more than check boxes. By observing a flock or herd, they can immediately pick up on even subtle issues with the health, nutrition, or handling of the farm animals. They know how to investigate further to identify what may be keeping the animals from thriving.
At the end of each onsite audit, the inspector will review their findings with personnel at the ranch, farm or facility. Their findings are compiled into a report that is signed by the on-site representative for the applicant.
Inspectors do NOT make any decisions about whether an applicant should be granted certification. They report only their expert observations.
The inspector will send the completed audit report to our Compliance Team for their review.
Step 5: We request corrections of any noncompliance issues
Once all audits are complete, the Compliance Team reviews all the documentation and audit reports to assess if the applicant is in compliance with our Farm Animal Standards. Depending on how complex the applicant’s operation is, this review process may take several weeks.
After this thorough review, the Compliance Team confers with the executive personnel for a final decision.
The Certified Humane® program requires full compliance with our Farm Animal Standards. We don’t give farms a partial score or use a grading system. All Certified Humane® farms, ranches and facilities meet every standard that’s applicable to their operation.
If the Compliance Team identifies areas where the applicant did not meet our standards, the executive staff will ask — in writing — for the applicant to address the noncompliance with corrective actions that can be followed consistently and sustainably.
Sometimes this requires a simple record-keeping adjustment. In other cases, the required change may be more extensive. In many cases, a second audit will be necessary to confirm the changes have been made.
We do NOT grant certification to any applicant until ALL issues of noncompliance have been addressed.
We pride ourselves in providing prompt service and helpful guidance to any producer interested in our program, from small family farms to complex ranching operations.
Step 6: We license the use of our logo to farms, ranches, and producers that are in full compliance with our standards
Once an applicant is fully compliant with our Farm Animal Standards and has signed our Licensing Agreement, we grant Certified Humane® certification!
Certification is good for one year and applies only to the animals and products that meet our standards.
Once certified, businesses can begin selling products with the Certified Humane® logo right away.
How do I get the Certified Humane® logo on my certified products?
Once the applicant has become Certified Humane®, our executive team will provide high resolution graphic files so the Certified Humane® logo can be included on packages and in marketing materials. Graphics are included with each certification.
With written approval from the Certified Humane® business, we can provide our high-resolution logo to third-party packaging designers.
Use of the logo is not transferable to third-party processors, distributors or purveyors for advertising.
Step 7: We review compliance annually
Each year, all Certified Humane® farms, ranches and processing operations go through a fresh audit process to renew their certification. They submit a renewal application and let us know of any significant changes to their operations.
We then assign an independent inspector to perform an audit for renewal of their certification. We rotate the inspectors who visit each Certified Humane® operation so that one inspector does not audit the same farm year after year.
Inspections for renewal applications are just as thorough as an initial audit. In fact, they tend to be more rigorous because inspectors compare notes made during previous audits to look for patterns that may be cause for concern.
As needed, we will conduct additional audits. These occur in the cases of major changes or new issues of noncompliance. They may be unannounced, as judged necessary by our executive staff.
Certification FAQs
Still have concerns? Below are more frequently asked questions about our certification process.
Q: Why don’t you audit farms more often?
Our inspections are designed to be a thorough and comprehensive review of ongoing care rather than a snapshot of a moment in time.
Independent inspectors review the year’s worth of health records and veterinarian treatments. They take a note of secondary health indicators like body composition scores or feather coverage for birds. They’ll judge how the farm animals act around people, which will tell them about the attentiveness of their caregivers.
Independent inspectors are scientists in their own right, meaning they’re critical thinkers who are trained to look deeper than surface observations. Because they are familiar with the species they’re auditing, they know when behavior they’re observing is a sign of distress, ongoing mistreatment (no matter how subtle), or when it’s perfectly in line with the natural behaviors of the farm animal.
Independent inspectors can’t be on every farm every day of the year. But they can tell you how well the farm animals are being cared for all year — based on their health, their behaviors, and the extensive records we require of Certified Humane® farms, ranches and processing operations.
Q: What happens if there is a problem or complaint?
Our team takes complaints about farms and ranches in the Certified Humane® program very seriously. The entire process is outlined in our Policy Manual, published on our website.
Our first step is to investigate all the details given by the complainant. Depending on what is learned during the information-gathering process, we usually follow up with an unannounced audit. If any nonconformances are found, the producer will have to make corrections to keep their certification.
If the farm or ranch cannot bring their operations back into compliance — or refuses to do so — their Certified Humane® status will be revoked.
Q: When do you deny certification?
There are cases where we cannot grant certification because a farm or ranch does not meet our Farm Animal Standards.
However, because our primary mission is to improve the lives of ALL farm animals, our executive staff (not the inspectors) will work with an applicant to better explain our standards and help them troubleshoot ways to improve the conditions for animals in their care. In many cases, these farms make adjustments to meet our standards and ultimately become Certified Humane®.
If we do not see improvements to the farm operations after working with an applicant, we will require that the farm wait a year and prove to us in writing that they’ve completely revamped their operations before they can reapply.
Your questions
What other questions about the certification process do you have? Email us questions or connect with us on social media!
Scroll to the bottom of this page for a link to the social media platform of your choice.
Posted: November 26, 2024 by Certified Humane®
Becoming Certified Humane®: What happens during the certification process?
Our goal in this article is to demystify all the details and reasoning behind the certification and explain how a farm or ranch or processor becomes Certified Humane® and can remain on the program through annual audits year after year.
First, you should understand the values and principles that guide the Certified Humane® program. You can read them in full in this article.
Here are the highlights:
We also want to state that animal welfare scientists and veterinarians act as independent inspectors to perform in-depth audits for species they specialize in. We have always contracted with third-party animal welfare specialists to ensure the most accurate and non-biased reporting.
With all those principles in mind, let’s dive into the process of becoming Certified Humane®!
Step 1: A farm or ranch asks to become certified
While this first step may seem obvious, it’s important to point out that the Certified Humane® is a voluntary program run by a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Humane Farm Animal Care.
We are not a government organization nor affiliated with any regulatory body or industry organization. We do not enforce animal welfare policies for people who aren’t on our program. Our standards require that trained handlers understand the needs of farm animals and how to apply those needs to their daily routine. That requires a long-term commitment to sustainable practices, not a quick fix.
Farmers and ranchers ask us to certify their operations because they recognize that shoppers trust the Certified Humane® logo. More and more shoppers are willing to pay extra in the grocery aisle if it means that they are supporting the responsible care of farm animals.
Our program is effective because it’s driven by consumer demand and by the compassion of farmers, ranchers and producers who want to do better.
Many operations who seek certification with us are already following at least some responsible care practices. They seek us out because our transparent standards allow them to showcase the ways they are doing right by the animals in their care.
Step 2: The applicant submits an application
When a new applicant submits an inquiry online, we respond immediately to begin their certification process.
Our preliminary conversations clarify the applicant’s business model and so we can determine which standards apply to them. We also answer any questions they have about their anticipated eligibility, fees, the audit process, the forms they need to submit, and the approximate timeline to final certification.
Applications usually include species-specific forms, one for each kind of animal the farm cares for at each site.
They also include one for each facility in the entire supply chain, including any slaughtering and processing locations. The process includes traceability audits at any facilities that create the retail packaging, ensuring all products with our logo actually came from a Certified Humane® farm.
In order to become certified, care during every part of a farm animal’s life MUST meet our Farm Animal Standards.
Step 3: We review submitted forms
Before we go onsite to a farm, ranch or processing operation, our Compliance Team reviews the application and relevant form(s) to see if any obvious corrections need to be made.
Step 4: An independent inspector conduct audit(s) of the entire operation
When the applicant passes the initial review, we’ll assign independent third-party inspectors to audit each farm, ranch or facility. The inspector will contact the applicant to schedule the needed audit(s) at a mutually convenient time.
Who are the inspectors?
The independent inspectors are highly qualified animal scientists or experts in the food industry. Many are veterinarians or have a Ph.D. in their field. They have hands-on farm experience with types(s) of animals they audit, and they’re familiar with practical ways to apply the best animal welfare practices.
Most importantly, inspectors care deeply about farm animals. They are passionate about improving their lives.
What happens during an audit?
The job of the inspector is to observe every site and every aspect of the applicant’s operation in order to assess compliance with our Farm Animal Standards. He or she will also review documents and records, interview the people who care for the animals, and conduct traceability audits.
The independent inspectors do more than check boxes. By observing a flock or herd, they can immediately pick up on even subtle issues with the health, nutrition, or handling of the farm animals. They know how to investigate further to identify what may be keeping the animals from thriving.
At the end of each onsite audit, the inspector will review their findings with personnel at the ranch, farm or facility. Their findings are compiled into a report that is signed by the on-site representative for the applicant.
Inspectors do NOT make any decisions about whether an applicant should be granted certification. They report only their expert observations.
The inspector will send the completed audit report to our Compliance Team for their review.
Step 5: We request corrections of any noncompliance issues
Once all audits are complete, the Compliance Team reviews all the documentation and audit reports to assess if the applicant is in compliance with our Farm Animal Standards. Depending on how complex the applicant’s operation is, this review process may take several weeks.
After this thorough review, the Compliance Team confers with the executive personnel for a final decision.
The Certified Humane® program requires full compliance with our Farm Animal Standards. We don’t give farms a partial score or use a grading system. All Certified Humane® farms, ranches and facilities meet every standard that’s applicable to their operation.
If the Compliance Team identifies areas where the applicant did not meet our standards, the executive staff will ask — in writing — for the applicant to address the noncompliance with corrective actions that can be followed consistently and sustainably.
Sometimes this requires a simple record-keeping adjustment. In other cases, the required change may be more extensive. In many cases, a second audit will be necessary to confirm the changes have been made.
We do NOT grant certification to any applicant until ALL issues of noncompliance have been addressed.
We pride ourselves in providing prompt service and helpful guidance to any producer interested in our program, from small family farms to complex ranching operations.
Step 6: We license the use of our logo to farms, ranches, and producers that are in full compliance with our standards
Once an applicant is fully compliant with our Farm Animal Standards and has signed our Licensing Agreement, we grant Certified Humane® certification!
Certification is good for one year and applies only to the animals and products that meet our standards.
Once certified, businesses can begin selling products with the Certified Humane® logo right away.
How do I get the Certified Humane® logo on my certified products?
Once the applicant has become Certified Humane®, our executive team will provide high resolution graphic files so the Certified Humane® logo can be included on packages and in marketing materials. Graphics are included with each certification.
With written approval from the Certified Humane® business, we can provide our high-resolution logo to third-party packaging designers.
Use of the logo is not transferable to third-party processors, distributors or purveyors for advertising.
Step 7: We review compliance annually
Each year, all Certified Humane® farms, ranches and processing operations go through a fresh audit process to renew their certification. They submit a renewal application and let us know of any significant changes to their operations.
We then assign an independent inspector to perform an audit for renewal of their certification. We rotate the inspectors who visit each Certified Humane® operation so that one inspector does not audit the same farm year after year.
Inspections for renewal applications are just as thorough as an initial audit. In fact, they tend to be more rigorous because inspectors compare notes made during previous audits to look for patterns that may be cause for concern.
As needed, we will conduct additional audits. These occur in the cases of major changes or new issues of noncompliance. They may be unannounced, as judged necessary by our executive staff.
Certification FAQs
Still have concerns? Below are more frequently asked questions about our certification process.
Q: Why don’t you audit farms more often?
Our inspections are designed to be a thorough and comprehensive review of ongoing care rather than a snapshot of a moment in time.
Independent inspectors review the year’s worth of health records and veterinarian treatments. They take a note of secondary health indicators like body composition scores or feather coverage for birds. They’ll judge how the farm animals act around people, which will tell them about the attentiveness of their caregivers.
Independent inspectors are scientists in their own right, meaning they’re critical thinkers who are trained to look deeper than surface observations. Because they are familiar with the species they’re auditing, they know when behavior they’re observing is a sign of distress, ongoing mistreatment (no matter how subtle), or when it’s perfectly in line with the natural behaviors of the farm animal.
Independent inspectors can’t be on every farm every day of the year. But they can tell you how well the farm animals are being cared for all year — based on their health, their behaviors, and the extensive records we require of Certified Humane® farms, ranches and processing operations.
Q: What happens if there is a problem or complaint?
Our team takes complaints about farms and ranches in the Certified Humane® program very seriously. The entire process is outlined in our Policy Manual, published on our website.
Our first step is to investigate all the details given by the complainant. Depending on what is learned during the information-gathering process, we usually follow up with an unannounced audit. If any nonconformances are found, the producer will have to make corrections to keep their certification.
If the farm or ranch cannot bring their operations back into compliance — or refuses to do so — their Certified Humane® status will be revoked.
Q: When do you deny certification?
There are cases where we cannot grant certification because a farm or ranch does not meet our Farm Animal Standards.
However, because our primary mission is to improve the lives of ALL farm animals, our executive staff (not the inspectors) will work with an applicant to better explain our standards and help them troubleshoot ways to improve the conditions for animals in their care. In many cases, these farms make adjustments to meet our standards and ultimately become Certified Humane®.
If we do not see improvements to the farm operations after working with an applicant, we will require that the farm wait a year and prove to us in writing that they’ve completely revamped their operations before they can reapply.
Your questions
What other questions about the certification process do you have? Email us questions or connect with us on social media!
Scroll to the bottom of this page for a link to the social media platform of your choice.
Posted: March 20, 2024 by Certified Humane®
New Standards for Farmed Atlantic Salmon
Select the links below to view the new standards for Farmed Atlantic Salmon in English or Spanish.
Posted: May 17, 2022 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, including Regenerative Organic Certified, ‘Certified Regenerative’ Beef by Greenham, and other individual programs.
Regenerative agricultural practices actively improve the environment and soil carbon sequestration and 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 complete regenerative agriculture system. Certified Humane® 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. This is known as Rotational Grazing and done correctly, it will nourish the animals and stimulate long term pasture growth, naturally holding carbon in the soil.
What some Certified Humane® producers are saying about their Regenerative Agricultural and Sustainable practices worldwide:
(Select map icons or follow links below to read more about Certified Humane® producers: Greenham • Ingleby Farms • Fazenda da Toca • Korin • Apricot Lane Farms • Hart Dairy • New Barn Organics • Niman Ranch • Vital Farms • White Oak Pastures • Farm Fresh Malaysia • Pete and Gerry’s • Teton Waters Ranch • Idyll Farms • Redwood Hill Farm)
‘Certified Regenerative’ Beef by Greenham
With more than 160 years in the Australian red meat industry, Greenham is a leader in producing premium-quality beef that is good for our consumers, animals, and the planet.
The Greenham Beef Sustainability Standard provides a practical set of indicators and measures for producers to follow. Consistent with globally recognised definitions of regenerative farming, the standard takes a holistic approach to regenerative beef production, which incorporates four key themes.
The standard has been endorsed by Certified Humane®, and environmental and agriculture specialists, Integrity Ag & Environment.
CLICK HERE to view the Greenham Beef Sustainability Standard
CLICK HERE to read more about ‘Certified Regenerative’ Beef by Greenham
Comments and resources for further study from the Certified Humane® Scientific Committee
Brenda Coe, Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University, USA
“Livestock production can, and should, be an important part of a sustainable food system. Cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and poultry can be raised on pastures that would otherwise be unsuitable for growing crops, can eat crop residues and other by-products that are often wasted, and produce manure that can be used as fertilizer. Continued efforts to prevent soil and pasture degradation by integrating intensive livestock farming with agricultural crops, controlling animal stocking rates and doing rotational grazing, conducting soil testing and properly fertilizing soil along with pest and weed control will improve soil health, allowing improved pasture recovery and resilience. Advances in animal genetics, veterinary care, feed quality, and grazing systems (rotational and adaptive multi-paddock grazing) are improving soil and pasture quality and also helping shrink the climate footprint of livestock operations. Regenerative livestock production also helps develop more resiliency in the land to climate challenges like droughts, fires, or flooding, benefiting farmers and communities as well as the entire food system.”
Anne Fanatico, PhD Appalachian State University, USA
“Animals are a key part of regenerative agriculture. Grazing animals and livestock help manage the extensive grasslands and rangelands in the Midwest and western states. Forage plants sequester carbon from the atmosphere in living plants and underground in the form of roots and organic matter. In the East, where there is sufficient precipitation for tree cover, agroforestry systems are appropriate for grazing livestock. Trees in particular sequester carbon. Farm animals, such as swine and poultry, are particularly important for nutrient cycling. Animals can eat things that humans do not such as crop residue and by-products. Animals contribute to biodiversity, which is key in resilience. They release the energy and nutrients stored in plants, so it can flow or cycle throughout the farm ecosystem (Gliessman, 2015. Agroecology: The Ecology of Food Systems). Access to the outdoors, pasture, and range is important animal welfare. Perennial pasture and grasslands are ways to grow food without tillage and keeping the carbon in the soil where it belongs.”
Brittany J. Howell, Ph.D., PAS, Fort Hays State University, USA
“Proper grazing and pasture management can reduce unwanted invasive plant species that can greatly impact the water availability in pastures. Invasive trees like red cedars can use up to 42 gallons of water per day depending on tree stem diameter and other factors. Also, grazing animals are part of a natural ecosystem, recycling carbon, adding nutrients to the soil through urine and feces, and removing older plant material which stimulates growth of new material (like nature’s lawnmower). And when it comes to the end of the animal’s life, the animal can be composted to enrich the soil and provide the most environmentally friendly way to utilize those nutrients to regrow plants.”
Photo credits:
Example of an untended pasture, not contributing to environmental improvement; courtesy of NCAT (ATTRA.NCAT.org)
Example of what a pasture can become, WITH the inclusion of grazing animals and proper management; courtesy of NCAT (ATTRA.NCAT.org)
Posted: May 6, 2020 by Certified Humane®
Hart Dairy
Originally from New Zealand, Dr. Richard Watson is one of the world’s top leaders in research and development related to animal welfare and best-in-class grazing and pasture-based techniques. For over 20 years, he has worked to pioneer the 365-day dairy grazing standard and has invested over $30 million to build the single largest source of cows in the United States that are never confined, environmentally sustainable, roam free-range and are grass-fed 365 days a year.
“We are thrilled to be recognized by Humane Farm Animal Care and proud to have the Certified Humane® label on our Hart Dairy milk bottles,” said Tim Connell, Hart Dairy chief executive officer. “Their seal of approval is a testament to our passion to ensure a healthy living environment for our cows, as they graze free-range on green grass pastures 365 days a year. We truly believe the happiest cows produce the most pure, delicious milk for our customers.”
Hart Dairy believes in HFAC’s Animal Care Standards, which include undergoing third-party inspections to confirm compliance to be certain cows:
Hart Dairy’s 3,500-plus herd is located just outside of Augusta, Georgia, where annual rainfall and temperature conditions are at a temperate sweet spot. In fact, grazing conditions in this area of the United States are even better than the world-renowned dairy farms found in Richard’s native New Zealand, where 365-day per year grazing techniques began.
Because of the location, investment, global research and development, and Richard’s passion for world-class grazing and pasture-based techniques, Hart Dairy is now the largest 100% free range and grass-fed farming system in North America and is the first and ONLY dairy farm in the United States to produce Certified Humane milk.
To learn more, visit their website at https://www.hartdairy.com/. For information on where to buy Hart Dairy products and other Certified Humane® products in your area, visit CertifiedHumane.org/Shop or download the Certified Humane free product locator mobile app.
Posted: March 21, 2020 by Certified Humane®
Fire Fly Farms Has It All
Fire Fly Farms – New London County Connecticut Has it All!
Order for pick up at the Connecticut farm shop or nationwide delivery via UPS:
Phone / Text: (860) 912-2553
Email: info@fireflyfarmsllc.com
Farm Shop:
96 Button Road, North Stonington, Connecticut
Hours: Tue.-Sat. 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Farm Shop Phone: (860) 917-7568
This Certified Humane farm offers heritage Randall beef and veal; Mulefoot pork; several breeds of chicken, including heritage breeds and turkeys. They ship their meat directly to customers. https://firefly.farm/