FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2008
CONTACT: Beth Hauptle, (703) 836-4300
www.AnimalWelfareApproved.org
EASTERN PLAINS NATURAL FOODS’ HERITAGE BREED POULTY EARNS
ANIMAL WELFARE APPROVED SEAL FOR HIGH-WELFARE PRODUCTION
BENNETT, COLORADO -- Dallas Gilbert of Eastern Plains Natural Foods has recently been awarded the
"Animal Welfare Approved" seal for high-welfare animal husbandry. Animal Welfare Approved is a free
accreditation program granted to family farmers who adhere to the high animal welfare husbandry
standards outlined by the non profit program. Accredited farms use the Animal Welfare Approved logo
on their products, assuring consumers that the animals were raised humanely on pasture and allowed
to exhibit natural behavior with minimal environmental impact. Animal Welfare Approved, with more
than 600 participating farms, is "setting the standard for how farm animals should be taken care of,"
according to Robert. F. Kennedy, Jr. This accreditation was recently endorsed by the World Society for
the Protection of Animals as having the most stringent animal welfare standards of any third-party
certifier.
Eastern Plains Natural Foods’ raises heritage breed ducks, geese and egg laying hens. Animal
Welfare Approved is excited to have Dallas Gilbert’s farm as part of the program because Dallas does
his own incubation, brooding and hatching which is hard to find in the poultry world and it is essential
for good animal welfare.
Dallas Gilbert has been raising free-range heritage poultry since the 1980s. He actually started
doing this for his own personal use because he only wanted to consume animals that had been raised
naturally and humanely. Then when his operation grew he started giving extra birds to his friends,
which later became a small business that has been gradually growing ever since.
Consumers will be happy to know that they are supporting a farm that protects all types of
animals. Dallas rescued donkeys that had been neglected and sent for slaughter, but they now they live
on his farm. The donkeys also protect all of his birds from natural predators in the area. Dallas said the
donkeys are great animals and that his birds “follow the donkeys around and fly up on their backs.
Everyone gets along and they keep predators away.”
Dallas decided to join the Animal Welfare Approved program because he thought “official
verification of all the work he does would be important to have” especially because he “ believes in
the "humane treatment of animals for human consumption” and he knows most of his customers have
the same concerns.
The Animal Welfare Approved seal is an assurance to consumers that the Eastern Plains’ poultry
Animal Welfare Approved is a Program of the Animal Welfare Institute
P.O. Box 3650, Washington, DC 20027 | (703) 836-4300 | www.AnimalWelfareApproved.org
have been treated according to the highest welfare standards. Dallas’ geese, ducks and chickens have
daily access to natural prairie grass as soon as they are old enough to go outside. He is so proud of his
farm that he encourages consumers to visit his farm in order to see his rare and beautiful birds.
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OTHER NEWS
GRANTS FOR FARMERS: The Animal Welfare Program is pleased to announce a new initiative that will
offer grants of up to $10,000 for the sole purpose of improving animal welfare on farms. Current
Animal Welfare Approved farmers and those who have applied to join the program are eligible to apply
for these grants. A farmer may submit a proposal for one or two different projects, for a total
maximum grant of $10,000. Grants will be awarded based upon the projects’ potential to deliver the
greatest benefit to farm animals. In order to receive a grant, applicants must meet the eligibility
requirements, submit an application and a budget by October 15, 2008, and propose a project that
meets the purpose of this program. All applications will be evaluated by a review panel.
Examples of eligible projects include conversion of buildings; fencing and paddock division; silviculture;
improvement of water services; mobile housing; farm planning, farm health visits from recognized
practitioners; alternative identification methods; alternative genetics; innovative chick transportation;
alternatives to antibiotic use; and improvements in the slaughter process. Eligible costs include design
fees, contractor costs, materials, slaughter equipment, new mobile housing, and incubators.
Guidelines and an application form are available at www.AnimalWelfareApproved.org or by
contacting Julie Munk at (703) 836-4300.
ALFRED STATE COLLEGE (ASC) AND THE ANIMAL WELFARE INSTITUTE (AWI) ARE PLEASED TO
ANNOUNCE A PARTNERSHIP TO ESTABLISH PIONEER FARM, a model farm to be operated by the
college in accordance with AWI’s Animal Welfare Approved standards. It will focus on teaching grazing
systems and animal husbandry practices that enhance land use and animal well-being. In addition to
providing a grant to support Pioneer Farm operations, AWI will provide funding for a minimum of eight
annual scholarships for college students who demonstrate interest in high welfare husbandry and
grazing systems.
Pioneer Farm will include 40 cleared acres of pasture, hay, and small grain fields for animal husbandry;
50 acres of woodlot; animal housing; pasture fencing, watering, and feeding systems; equipment for
cleaning barns, producing crops, and other farm operations; and classroom and laboratory space. The
farm grounds are located within the Alfred State College Farm Laboratory, but managed separately
from other Alfred State College animal operations. Additionally, the Center for Organic and Sustainable
Agriculture (COSA) will provide organizational assistance to faculty experts interested in participating
in workshops on organic production, local food systems, and sustainable energy technologies.
Programming at Pioneer Farm will include courses in managed grassland agriculture and silviculture
(woodland production) and the practical implication of high animal welfare.
Animal Welfare Approved is a program of the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI). The Animal Welfare
Approved program and food label promote the well-being of animals and the sustainability of humane
family farms, uniting conscientious consumers with farmers who raise their animals with compassion.
Animal Welfare Approved is "setting the standard for how farm animals should be taken care of,"
according to Robert. F. Kennedy, Jr. The Animal Welfare Approved program was recently lauded by
the World Society for the Protection of Animals as having the highest animal welfare standards of any
third party certifier in the US and currently has certified more than 600 farms whose products bear
the Animal Welfare Approved seal.
Animal Welfare Approved is a Program of the Animal Welfare Institute
P.O. Box 3650, Washington, DC 20027 | (703) 836-4300 | www.AnimalWelfareApproved.org