On President’s Day, the National Black Farmers Association concluded its cross country rally in Washington, D.C. and Animal Welfare Approved’s legislative partner, Animal Welfare Institute, attended in support. NBFA members have spent the past month mobilizing support for the distribution of payments owed to black farmers as a part of a 1999 discrimination settlement, which awarded one billion dollars to them; President Obama has allocated the funds in his FY 2010 budget. The last Farm Bill seconded this verdict by allocating funds and opening doors for 80,000 farmers locked out of the original suit to have their cases heard in court.

Animal Welfare Approved seeking AWA pasture-based farm(s) to supply eggs in Washington, DC area. If not currently certified, must be willing to pursue free certification. Immediate need. Please contact Julie Munk at info@animalwelfareapproved.org or at 202.546.5292.

Animal Welfare Approved ranchers in southeast US looking for Animal Welfare Approved/American Grassfed Association certified farms to supply calves for grass fed operations. Immediate need. Please contact Julie Munk at info@animalwelfareapproved.org or at 202.546.5292.

Animal Welfare Approved, the nationally recognized certification program and food label, is pleased to announce the selected projects for the 2010 Good Husbandry Grants cycle. This cycle’s funding priorities include genetics, outdoor access, and welfare improvements in the slaughter process. Twenty-eight projects in 14 states were awarded funding.

Selected projects include mobile housing for pigs, sheep and poultry, and stunning equipment for humane slaughter. A number of proposals were funded to incorporate breeding stock that is better suited to pasture-based management. “Choosing from among the many worthy proposals was a difficult task,” remarked Program Director Andrew Gunther. “But we are confident that the projects that have been selected for funding will contribute to positive developments in high-welfare pasture-based farming.”

A new report by the United Nations has added credence to the view that sustainable grazing and pasture management can significantly contribute to the fight against global climate change. Entitled, “Review on Evidence on Dryland Pastoral Systems and Climate Change,” this paper offers much-needed discussion about the role that pasture can play in our efforts to mitigate carbon emissions and preserve these important carbon-sequestering ecosystems.

Pasturelands are under increasing pressure from development, salinization, overgrazing and transition to annual cropping for grain production (much of which goes to livestock feed). However, if properly managed they represent a carbon sink that could be even greater than forests.

Organic Pastures is a fourth generation, family owned and operated, vertically integrated organic farming operation. Their Grade A dairy is 100% organic and 100% pasture-based. Mark, Aaron, and Kaleigh McAfee, who work respectively as Founder and CEO, Operations Manager, and Marketing Manager, value the high quality of milk that comes from a humanely managed herd. Organic Pastures cows are never confined to feedlots and always graze freely on abundant grass pastures.

Kallan Maxwell received his first introduction to organic farming as a child. He recalls, “Dean Swenson, an organic farmer for 25 years, had a farm up the road from my parent’s house. When I was 12 years old he knocked at our door and said he needed help unloading hay. So I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll unload hay.’ I thought I was tougher than I was and I made it through about a load and a half and I had to quit. Dean gave me a hard time so I thought well, I’ll show him.” Kallan began working for Dean after school and fell in love with farming and working with the animals. He knew that someday he was going to have a farm of his own.

We wish you and your families a happy holiday season.

As another season of farming and caring for their animals and land draws to a close, we would like to offer a sincere thank you to the visionary farmers in our program who provide us with better food raised a better way. We are only as strong as our farmers and they are an amazing group!

To the people who support them, and to everyone working to create a better food system for the mutual benefit of our shared environment, farm animals, and ultimately for ourselves, we offer our thanks for your dedication and encouragement.

In a major move for the Obama administration, the US Department of Justice (Antitrust Division) and the US Department of Agriculture have opened an investigation into whether any illegal monopolies exist among the dominant agricultural companies. The focus is primarily on three sectors: seed companies, beef packing and dairy.

With a history of exemption from antitrust regulation the industry as a whole has become extremely concentrated. For instance, the the top four beefpacking companies currently control 83.5% of the market. As part of this investigation, a series of public workshops will be held across the country. Read on for dates and locations, as well as information about submitting comments online or by mail.

Guille Yearwood and his family know quality grassfed beef inside and out. They have been raising cattle continuously since 1975, and put it to the test at their own dinner table regularly. In fact, only producing beef that they themselves would eat is the top priority on the farm. This means that no artificial growth hormones or antibiotics are used, and that the cattle have access to fresh pasture daily. Rotational grazing not only keeps the cattle happy, but supports a renewable landscape and the herd’s health.