CONTACT: Stephanie Wuorenma
Phone: (202) 446-2138
Email: mediarelations@agreenerworld.org
Website: www.agreenerworld.org
— Drager Farms, LLC in Marietta, PA, uses sustainable agriculture methods to produce Certified Grassfed by AGW beef —
MARIETTA, PA (AUGUST 30, 2016)–Drager Farms, LLC is the first farming business in Pennsylvania to be Certified Grassfed by A Greener World (AGW). This is the only certification and logo in the U.S. and Canada that guarantees food products come from animals fed a 100 percent grass and forage diet, raised outdoors on pasture or range for their entire lives, and managed according to Certified AWA’s leading welfare and environmental standards on an independent family farm. While other grassfed labels exist, none has fully met consumer expectations when it comes to a grassfed and forage diet, environmental management, and farm animal welfare–until now.
Nathan W. Drager raises a small herd of mainly Black Angus Certified Grassfed by AGW beef cattle at Drager Farms on 50 acres of land he purchased from his family. The cattle are raised and finished entirely on grass and Drager intends to slowly expand his herd, breeding cattle on-farm and selecting for certain traits, including the ability to thrive off grass and maintain good body condition on pasture. Drager is proud to be Certified Grassfed by AGW for his beef cattle and was happy to see he had already utilized many of the strategies outlined in the farm standards in his management approach:
Nathan Drager of Drager Farms, LLC says, “I’ve been a farmer my entire life and my farm is where I’m happiest, watching my cattle on pasture. I decided to become Certified Grassfed by AGW after realizing what a positive impact pasture-raised cattle can have on the health of the animal and the environment. The logo will assure customers that my cattle really are raised to the highest standard of animal welfare and on a 100 percent grassfed diet.”
According to recent research, demand for grassfed beef has increased by 25-30 percent every year over the last decade. But while demand for grassfed meat is sky-rocketing, not all grassfed certifications are meeting consumer expectations–and some continue to permit highly questionable practices. Some meat currently marketed as grassfed could come from animals confined on dirt feedlots for long periods outside the growing season, or where growth hormones and subtherapeutic antibiotics are used–just as long as they were fed cut grass or forage.
AGW’s new Certified Grassfed label is the only grassfed program in North America to guarantee:
- Ruminant animals raised outdoors on pasture for their entire lives, with an entirely grass and forage diet
- Animals raised according to the highest animal welfare and environmental standards in the U.S. and Canada
- High-welfare handling, transport, and slaughter of animals–including an annual review of slaughter facilities
Certified Grassfed by AGW is an optional, additional accreditation for farmers meeting Animal Welfare Approved (Certified AWA) standards of production. Certified AWA has been lauded by Consumer Reports as the only “highly meaningful” label for farm animal welfare, outdoor access and sustainability.
AGW Director of Outreach Emily Moose says, “No other grassfed label can match the breadth, integrity, and transparency offered by AGW’s practical and achievable Certified Grassfed standards and certification procedures. We’re proud to support farmers and ranchers like Drager Farms and to help them promote their high-quality grassfed meat and sustainable farming practices to the public.”
For more information about Drager Farms’ Certified Grassfed by AGW beef, visit www.olddragerfarms.com or follow the farm on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DragerFarms.
For more information about the Certified Grassfed by AGW label visit http://animalwelfareapproved.org/standards/grassfed/.
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ABOUT A GREENER WORLD
A Greener World (AGW) promotes practical, sustainable farming systems by supporting farmers and informing consumers. AGW’s growing portfolio of trusted certifications includes AWA, Certified Non-GE by AGW and Certified Grassfed by AWA. Each program is designed to have positive and measurable impacts on the environment, society and animals, and to encourage truly sustainable farming practices. AGW’s standards and procedures are robust and transparent, yet realistic and achievable for farmers.
AGW offers a range of resources to help people make informed food choices, including an Online Directory of certified farms and products and Food Labels Exposed-a definitive guide to food label claims (available in print, online, and as a smartphone app). For more information visit www.agreenerworld.org.
ABOUT CERTIFIED AWA
Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) audits, certifies and supports farmers raising their animals according to the highest welfare standards, outdoors on pasture or range. Called a “badge of honor for farmers” and the “gold standard,” AWA is the most highly regarded food label in North America when it comes to animal welfare, pasture-based farming, and sustainability. All AWA standards, policies and procedures are available on the AWA website, making it the most transparent certification available. AWA’s Online Directory of AWA farms, restaurants and products enables the public to search for AWA farms, restaurants and products by zip code, keywords, products and type of establishment. For more information visit www.animalwelfareapproved.org.
ABOUT CERTIFIED GRASSFED BY AGW
AGW’s new Certified Grassfed label is the only grassfed program in North America to guarantee:
- Ruminant animals raised outdoors on pasture for their entire lives, with an entirely grass and forage diet
- Animals raised according to the highest animal welfare and environmental standards in the U.S. and Canada
- High-welfare handling, transport, and slaughter of animals–including an annual review of slaughter facilities
According to recent research, demand for grassfed beef has increased by 25-30 percent every year over the last decade. But while demand for grassfed meat is sky-rocketing, not all grassfed certifications are meeting consumer expectations–and some continue to permit highly questionable practices. Some meat currently marketed as grassfed could come from animals confined on dirt feedlots for long periods outside the growing season, or where growth hormones and subtherapeutic antibiotics are used–just as long as they were fed cut grass or forage. For more information visit www.agreenerworld.org/solutions-and-certificates/certified-grass-fed/.