Summer 2012 Animal Welfare Approved Newsletter

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AWA Newsletter Notes from the Field 10 Addressing Public Complaints By Tim Holmes, Lead Auditor Complaints about AWA farms are very rare. However, we take all complaints seriously and follow a strict protocol in every case to determine the validity of the complaint as quickly as possible. Most complaints arise from simple misunderstandings about a farm’s practices and/or how the standards apply, and are resolved at the farm level. Maintaining good communications with your customers, neighboring farms, and the local community is essential to avoid potential misunderstandings about your farm management practices. If you do receive a complaint you should keep a record of the incident. We also strongly recommend that you contact the program—particularly where allegations relate to animal welfare or environmental management. Complaints received by the program usually involve concerns that farms are not meeting AWA standards, such as by not providing access to pasture or sourcing market animals from non-approved farms. The procedure for all complaints made to the program begins with an immediate David Jones review of the farm’s latest audit and any recent communication between the farm and the program. If this does not help to resolve the complaint, then we will contact the farmer and, if necessary, conduct a full re-audit to verify that AWA standards are being achieved. If we establish that there is insufficient evidence to support the complaint, we will contact the complainant to advise them that we are confident that the farm is compliant with AWA standards. If the complainant is still not satisfied they can appeal to the AWA Approval Board. However, if the complaint is found to have merit, we will refer the case on to the AWA Approval Board and advise the complainant that the farm’s status in the program is under review. This protocol ensures that every complaint is handled openly and fairly for all parties involved, and that the integrity of the AWA seal is maintained. For more information, see the Animal Welfare Approved Policy Manual at www.AnimalWelfareApproved.org/ standards/policy-manual. Good communications with neighboring farms and the local community will help to avoid potential misunderstandings about your farm management practices. Pete Aylward AWA's new Technical Advice Factsheet is designed to provide farmers in the program with advice on avoiding the teeth clipping of piglets. Teeth Clipping Avoiding the Need to Teeth Clip Piglets is the latest addition to AWA's Technical Advice Fact Sheet range. This new Fact Sheet provides hog farmers who are participating in the AWA program with scientific information and practical advice about teeth clipping of piglets. Key topics include why teeth clipping is traditionally carried out, the problems associated with teeth clipping, and management of the sow and litter to avoid potential problems that induce farmers to resort to teeth clipping. Download a copy of Avoiding the Need to Teeth Clip Piglets at www.AnimalWelfareApproved. org (select "Farmers" tab, then "Technical Support") or call (800) 373-8806.
Chris Kerston of Chaffin Family Orchards, California Since March, over 40 new farms have joined the AWA program. Here, we meet Chris Kerston, who manages the 2,000 acre mixed operation at Chaffin Family Orchards with farming partners, Kurt and Carol Albrecht. Where do you farm? We farm about 2,000 acres in Oroville, CA, which is about an hour north of Sacramento. The farm was founded 100 years ago on olive trees. We have 200 acres of among the oldest olive trees in the country, as well as 50 acres of heirloom stonefruit orchards and 50 acres of 50-year-old citrus, and some figs, pomegranates, pears, and persimmons. We also produce grassfed beef and goat, traditional Shetland sheep for wool, and pasture-raised eggs. We utilize permaculture principles and integrate livestock into our orchards. During the summer months we won’t see rain typically for 6–8 months, so the livestock benefit from the irrigated grasses under the orchard and the shade from the trees. Who are your CUSTOMERS? We sell exclusively through local farmers markets, onfarm sales, and regional buying clubs in places like San Francisco, Sacramento, Tahoe, Reno and Southern California. How do you like being part of the AWA program? I’m very impressed by the support we receive. The marketing benefits offered by AWA are huge. All the marketing materials are provided for free (see below). We go to events and conferences across the West Coast and AWA helps to ensure that we can best convey the animal welfare story to our customers. Visit www.ChaffinFamilyOrchards.com. Meet the Farmer The AWA seal is recognized nationwide and provides visibility and credibility—at no cost to farmers. Learn more about the program at www. AnimalWelfareApproved.org. Sheep (left) benefit from the irrigated apricot orchard, with good summer grazing and shade from the sun; Katie and Chris Kerston (right), with their four-year-old son, Danny. (Photos by Chaffin Family Orchards) Free AWA Marketing Materials—Order Today! Farmers in the AWA program can order a wide range of AWA marketing materials—all free of charge. Designed to help raise consumer awareness and promote your business, our marketing products include quality metal farm gate signs, vinyl banners (perfect for farmers market stalls), rolls of AWA logo stickers, and vendor window clings for restaurants and stores. These products will help ensure your customers know you are selling food from animals raised with the highest welfare standards. We can also supply informative consumer leaflets, free pens, post-it notes, buttons, pens, refrigerator magnets—even fun temporary tattoos for kids of all ages—to give to your customers. Why not order a handful of farmer brochures or extra copies of the AWA Newsletter to share with your neighboring farms? AWA promotional materials are available at no cost to farmers in the program. Just fill out the online order form with what you need. Please allow 1–2 weeks for delivery. You can order additional products at any time. Submit your order at www. AnimalWelfareApproved.org/ farmers/materials or call (800) 373-8806. Amanda Kisner Summer 2012 11
Page 1 and 2: SUMMER 2012 Volume 5 Issue 2 newsle
Page 3 and 4: New Study: Consumers Reward Transpa
Page 5 and 6: Deborah Stone: Getting Back to the
Page 7 and 8: Jean-Paul Courtens of Roxbury Farm,
Page 9: ® Peak Experience Imagery An aeria

Summer 2012 Animal Welfare Approved Newsletter

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