Consumer concern over animal welfare and sustainability has generated a plethora of food options aimed at meeting this growing market. With so much variety, even simple choices like what to buy at the grocery store can be difficult for shoppers trying to make the “right” decision.
There are very few federal regulations which deal with animal welfare. One of these is the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, which establishes standards for US Department of Agriculture slaughter plants. The act, however, does not apply to poultry.
The US Department of Agriculture website says that instead of regulating the industry to meet animal welfare and humane treatment guidelines through legislation, producers have the option to be voluntarily certified by third-party auditors. This leaves consumers puzzling over subtle word-shifts in products labeled as “grassfed,” “free-range,” “organic,” “humane” and “cruelty-free,” among many other terms.
Without verification from third-party certifiers, much of the wording on packaging remains vague or misleading. For eggs, terms like free-range and cage-free allow some room for interpretation.
The USDA defines free-range as continuous outdoor access but does not specify how much space or what type of environment is required.
A 2017 rule by the Obama administration was intended to set higher, more uniform animal welfare standards for organic products. It did this, primarily by clearing ambiguity over acceptable standards for outdoor access for organic poultry by requiring that birds have access to soil and vegetation. Without the rule, an enclosed porch with a cement floor would qualify outdoor access. However, the Trump administration wishes to discard the rule, which they see as an overreach of authority.
Consumers still have the option to research independent certifiers, who often require compliance to stricter standards. Certifiers like Animal Welfare Approved, American Humane Certified and others often offer more specific details about the certification standards they require on their websites.
Concerned consumers also have the option of checking out local farms.
Farmshed is a Stevens Point based organization which supports the local food system.
Krista Engelhardt, director of communications and outreach at Farmshed, said, “When you are purchasing local meats, you have the opportunity to find out more about how that animal was treated and raised.”
Engelhardt said that, by connecting with local farmers, you are often able to see their farms first hand since many local farmers open their farms to visitors. Engelhardt added that the Farm Fresh Atlas is a useful resource for finding local options. The atlas, which is available on Farmshed’s website or at Farmfreshatlas.org, lists a wealth of small-scale farmers throughout Central Wisconsin.
Ninepatch Farm, near Athens, is one of these local operations.
Farmer Craig Carlson, said that he has 70 acres of pasture on which he grazes beef, sheep, turkeys and chickens. Carlson said the ultimate goal is to improve the soil. Ninepatch sells to area farmers’ markets and businesses including the College of Professional Studies Café at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Tony Whitefeather, of Whitefeather Organics in Custer, is another local farmer. Although his farm is primarily a vegetable CSA, he also raises chickens and pigs which he said add to the soil’s fertility. Both his laying hens, which provide eggs, and meat chickens are raised on pasture. Whitefeather said that the small scale they operate at allows them to give the animals personal attention.
“We can have really unique relationships with our pigs,” Whitefeather said, adding that with the meat he sells, “you know you are getting something that meets a farmer every day.”
Naomi Albert
Environment Editor
nalbe203@uwsp.edu
Visiting a local farm is definitely a great way to connect with that farmer and learn more about how the animals were raised. It is also important to note that humane animal care environmentally friendly decisions are not unique to “small” farms. Large does not equal bad, likewise small does not equal good.
No matter the size of the farm, the farmer is concerned about keeping their animals safe, healthy and comfortable while also caring for the land.
Farming has changed a lot since my grandpa was milking cows. Change isn’t bad. We want advancement in medicine, cars and other areas of modern life. Modern agriculture is advancing to be better than ever before, but many of us are so removed from the farm that we are led down a path of deception.
If you want the straight scoop about modern agriculture, visit http://www.fooddialogues.com/ or feel free to ask me a question. I would love to have a conversation about food and farming!