{"id":1903,"date":"2018-08-24T00:00:41","date_gmt":"2018-08-24T00:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenchoicenow.com\/?p=1903"},"modified":"2020-09-24T13:19:00","modified_gmt":"2020-09-24T13:19:00","slug":"know-your-label-agw-certified-grassfed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenchoicenow.com\/v\/know-your-label-agw-certified-grassfed","title":{"rendered":"Know Your Food Label: AGW Certified Grassfed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In simple terms, the Certified Grassfed label ensures that all animals must have ample time outside, be fed only grass, and be treated with the highest degree of animal welfare standards. Today\u2019s story is all about Certified Grassfed by AGW. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Welcome back to Know Your Label (KYL)! This week we\u2019ll continue our journey into the legitimacy, relevance, and history of the food certifications and claims you encounter when shopping for your groceries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is AGW Certified Grassfed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A Greener World (AGW) was founded to promote and support sustainable livestock farming practices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their mission is the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Promote agricultural practices that have a positive impact on the animals and environment.<\/li>
  2. Educate consumers about the impact of their purchasing behaviors on the environment and animals.<\/li>
  3. Establish and promote farm certifications.<\/li>
  4. Support independent farmers and ranchers committed to the production of sustainable livestock.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    With these goals in mind, AGW offers four different certifications: Certified Grassfed, Certified Organic, Certified Non-GMO, and Certified Animal Welfare Approved. Our focus today is on Certified Grassfed<\/a>; their other certifications will be covered in subsequent issues of KYL, so stay tuned!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Cows<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    According to AGW\u2019s website, \u201cCertified Grassfed by AGW 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 and managed according to the highest welfare and environmental standards on an independent farm,” (1<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In simple terms, this means that all animals must predominantly live outside (animals have access to an indoor space), be fed only grass, and be treated with the highest degree of animal welfare standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    AGW Certified Grassfed criteria<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    First and foremost, it is important to point out that this certification is an additional accreditation for livestock that are \u201cCertified Animal Welfare Approved<\/a>\u201d. Only farmers that already meet high animal welfare and environmental standards will are considered for this certification. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Second, this certification uses a holistic birth to slaughter model, meaning that all stages of the life cycle through the slaughter process must follow regulations and be approved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Third, audits are performed annually by certified AGW auditors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Animals that can be Certified Grassfed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"Sheep<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Only certain animals can be certified under this label \u2014 beef and dairy cattle, bison, meat and dairy goats, and meat and dairy sheep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    These ruminants have unique digestive systems that make it possible for the digestion of grass and forage to provide all of the nutrition needed. Other animals such as chicken do not fit this criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    AGW grassfed certification requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    There is a $100 annual accreditation fee for this certificate, which gives farmers and ranchers in the program access to various forms of support. There are no additional fees for audits or for use of the label.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Additionally, there are several other requirements: <\/p>\n\n\n\n