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Food Alliance
Farm & Ranch Certification Program Guiding Principles
Food Alliance operates the most comprehensive third-party certification program in North America for sustainably produced food. Food Alliance Certified distinguishes foods produced by farmers and ranchers who:
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Provide Safe and Fair Working Conditions
Create a work environment with open communication about workplace safety and job satisfaction, with incentives and opportunities for development of employee skills; Consider quality of life issues for farm workers and their communities.
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Ensure the Health and Humane Treatment of Animals
Raise livestock with respect for their physical needs and comfort; Provide livestock with access to sunlight, fresh air, and an environment where they can socialize and express normal animal behaviors; Handle livestock with care to minimize fear and stress.
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Do Not Use Hormone or Antibiotic Supplements
Raise animals without using hormones or antibiotics to stimulate growth or productivity; Use antibiotics only to treat a sick animal to return it to health, not as a substitute for healthy living conditions.
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Do Not Raise Genetically Modified Crops or Livestock (GMOs)
Raise crops or livestock that are not derived from transgenic or genetically modified organisms in order to respect public concern over potential impacts on human or environmental health. |
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Reduce Pesticide Use and Toxicity
Practice integrated pest management by using field scouting and cultural and biological controls to avoid pest problems; Minimize risks to human health and the environment by selecting least toxic pest treatments and using best practices for application. |
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Protect Water Resources
Protect water quality and riparian habitat by providing buffer zones along streams; Manage tillage to maximize the ability of soils to absorb rainfall; Manage animal wastes to prevent ground and surface water contamination. |
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Protect and Enhance Soil Resources
Protect soils by maximizing plant cover, rotating crops, and using cover crops to enrich
soil and increase productivity; Use management-intensive grazing; Use tillage methods that protect soil quality and promote soil conservation.
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Provide wildlife habitat
Encourage vegetative cover, food, and water resources necessary for habitat; Establish biological corridors; Manage mowing and grazing cycles to minimize impact on wildlife: Protect and restore wetland, prairie and woodland habitats.
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Continually Improve Practices
Set annual goals for improving performance in areas addressed under Food Alliance certification; Evaluate and report progress on goals annually.
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