When we decided to undertake the task of raising hogs in a
traditional manner, we felt it important to meet the highest standards
possible for our business. Becoming a humane certified producer means
that our hogs are being raised in a manner that not only enhances their
lives but also gives us the opportunity to give them quality care and
feel proud about the product we are producing. We are proud to have
been certified by the HFAC organization.
If you would like to know more about HFAC standards and the certification process, please visit their site at http://www.certifiedhumane.org/
If you would like to know more about HFAC standards and the certification process, please visit their site at http://www.certifiedhumane.org/
HFAC News Release...
News
Red Barn Berkshires becomes newest Certified Humane® farm
(Herndon, VA, December 14, 2011) - Humane Farm Animal Care® (HFAC),
the leading non-profit certification organization improving the lives of
farm animals in food production, announced today that Red Barn
Berkshires in Elberon, Virginia has been certified for their pastured
Berkshire pork.
Tony Seward, owner of Red Barn Berkshires, is a third generation farmer; his family has worked their land in Surry County, Virginia since the early 1900’s. Over the generations, the Seward family has raised a variety of crops and livestock, and now Tony is utilizing his large pastures and wooded lots to raise heritage breed Berkshire pigs. The pigs are free to roam, root and wallow, and have large bedded huts in each pasture. “Becoming certified was really important for me,” said Tony. “I work hard to make sure my animals have the best life possible, and having the recognition of being a Certified Humane® farm means a lot.”
In addition, Tony says that while becoming Certified Humane® was important to him personally, the certification has also expanded his market: “There is a lot of demand for Certified Humane® pork, which means that I can raise my animals the right way and can make a living at the same time.”
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 38 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 80 companies, representing thousands 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.
Tony Seward, owner of Red Barn Berkshires, is a third generation farmer; his family has worked their land in Surry County, Virginia since the early 1900’s. Over the generations, the Seward family has raised a variety of crops and livestock, and now Tony is utilizing his large pastures and wooded lots to raise heritage breed Berkshire pigs. The pigs are free to roam, root and wallow, and have large bedded huts in each pasture. “Becoming certified was really important for me,” said Tony. “I work hard to make sure my animals have the best life possible, and having the recognition of being a Certified Humane® farm means a lot.”
In addition, Tony says that while becoming Certified Humane® was important to him personally, the certification has also expanded his market: “There is a lot of demand for Certified Humane® pork, which means that I can raise my animals the right way and can make a living at the same time.”
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 38 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 80 companies, representing thousands 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.