For Immediate Release
Contact: Stephanie Wuorenma
(202) 446-2138
Stephanie@AnimalWelfareApproved.org
AnimalWelfareApproved.org
VANCOUVER ISLAND FARM BECOMES FIRST IN BRITISH COLUMBIA TO RECEIVE TOP ENVIRONMENTAL AND ANIMAL WELFARE CERTIFICATION
--Cowichan Valley farm uses sustainable agriculture methods to earn Animal Welfare Approved certification for its flock of laying ducks--
COBBLE HILL, BC (APRIL 22)--The flock of laying ducks at thegoodfarm is now certified as Animal Welfare Approved. This certification and food label lets consumers know these animals are raised in accordance with the highest animal welfare standards in the U.S. and Canada, using sustainable agriculture methods on an independent family farm.
Like other AWA farmers across the country, Barbara Houston recognizes the growing consumer interest in how animals are raised on farms. Managing animals outdoors on pasture or range has known benefits for animals, consumers and the environment. Houston raises laying ducks on five acres at thegoodfarm in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island.
Guided by her core values of sustainability, environmental stewardship, and animal welfare, Houston believes the most important aspect of her animal husbandry practices is "creating an environment "where her ducks can be ducks!" Houston sees her relationship with the farm's ducks as a mutually beneficial one: "I am here to provide fresh water in pools and ponds, food and shelter, fresh bedding each night, and to keep them safe," Barbara says. "In return, they leave gifts in the form of wonderful eggs-whereas chicken eggs are acidic, duck eggs are an alkaline or neutral food. Plus, the eggs they produce far exceed those of ducks that are confined: It is clear in the shell, the yolk colour, and the taste. Most importantly, it is clear in the happiness of the ducks as they range and roam." Research shows pasture-based management results in tasty and nutritious eggs with more beta carotene and higher levels of beneficial conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and omega-3 fatty acids when compared to conventional eggs.
Houston spent some time researching appropriate farm certifications and saw AWA as the natural fit: "There are other certifying bodies, but none have standards for ducks. AWA clearly mapped out the standards for ducks and I was able to establish what I felt intuitively were appropriate high-welfare management practices for pastured ducks." She hopes that being Certified AWA--the leading animal welfare certification in Canada--will help her customers understand and support the true costs of producing food with people, animals, and the earth in mind.
AWA Program Director Andrew Gunther says, "The accountability and integrity offered by Animal Welfare Approved farmers like Barbara are unmatched in food production. We're glad to have thegoodfarm in the AWA family."
Certified AWA pasture-raised duck eggs from thegoodfarm are available at retailers, restaurants, and bakeries on Vancouver Island. For more information about the farm, visit www.farmthegood.com or contact Barbara at thegoodfarm@telus.net or (250) 710-0636.
About Animal Welfare Approved
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. AWA has also launched AWA Food Labels Exposed, a free smartphone app guide to commonly used food claims and terms, available from the App Store or Google Play.
A free printable version of Food Labels Exposed is also available for download at
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