Hedgeapple Farm Beef Qualifies for American Humane Association Free Farmed Label

American Humane Association
Thursday, 7 June 2001

The American Humane Association (AHA) and Farm Animal Services (FAS) today announced that Hedgeapple Farm of Buckeystown, Maryland, is the second producer raising cattle for beef to qualify for the Free Farmed label.

The label, unveiled this past fall, is the first-ever program to certify that farm animals are raised in a humane manner. A Free Farmed label will assure consumers that the beef products they purchase from Hedgeapple Farm come from animals that were treated according to animal welfare standards developed by AHA.

"I'm pleased to announce today that Hedgeapple Farm is the second beef producer to qualify for the Free Farmed label," said Adele Douglass, Executive Director of FAS, which administers and monitors the Free Farmed program. "Consumers now have even more opportunity to make a difference in the lives of farm animals by purchasing Free Farmed labeled beef products from Hedgeapple Farm. With every beef, chicken, egg or dairy producer added to the Free Farmed program, this consumer movement to improve the lives of farm animals grows."

"We at Hedgeapple Farm have always prided ourselves on being good stewards of our farm animals and our land and water resources," said John Jorgensen of Hedgeapple Farm and President of the Maryland Cattlemen's Association. "It is especially rewarding to be certified by meeting the American Humane Association's criteria for best humane management practices in the raising of livestock. We believe our Free Farmed certification is one more reason for our freezer beef customers to feel good about selecting Hedgeapple Farm beef. In addition we believe our participation in the Free Farmed program will attract new customers who are discriminating in the selection their food sources."

The American Humane Association launched the Free Farmed program in September 2000. The certification program is administered by Farm Animal Services, a nonprofit organization created by AHA. FAS oversees the inspection, certification, and compliance of producers and other businesses that have applied for the Free Farmed label. The United States Department of Agriculture verifies FAS's inspection process.

The label is awarded based on animal welfare standards developed by the AHA Scientific Committee. The standards outline the housing, and environmental conditions for the animals, and also contain education standards for farm management and staff. The AHA Scientific Committee includes experts in the animal care, veterinary, animal behavior and animal welfare fields with experience in ethical and humane treatment of animals. Currently, standards are in place for egg-laying hens, broiler chickens, dairy and beef cattle, and pigs.

Hedgeapple Farm's focus is on the development of consistently tender and flavorful beef product through careful sire selection and the feeding of natural forages abundant in the middle Atlantic region. The farm's one-mile frontage along the Monocacy River makes stewardship of Hedgeapple Farm soil and water resources especially important. The farm works closely with the Frederick Soil Conservation District and the state and federal agencies in implementing best management practices for improving the water quality of the Monocacy and Potomac Rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Freezer beef is available seasonally in whole, half or split half quantities. Requests for information and orders can be directed to e-mail hafangus@aol.com or phone 301-662-7638 or Post Office Box 237 Buckeystown, Maryland 21717.

For more information, or to contact American Humane Association, see their website at: www.americanhumane.org