Petaluma Egg Farm at Center of Debate Over Organic Rules
Friday, April 29th, 2011Press Democrat
By ROBERT DIGITALE
Should an organic chicken be allowed to scratch outside in the native earth?
Federal farm experts meeting in Seattle this week are expected to consider this question, and the outcome could impact one of Sonoma County’s two main egg producers.
Petaluma Farms is a longtime supplier of organic and conventional eggs, all produced “cage free,” that is, without the small wire cages that confine most of the nation’s laying hens. Critics recently filed a federal complaint involving the company, saying the U.S. Department of Agriculture should require Petaluma Farms to give its organic hens access to soil outdoors, rather than limit their outside space to raised, screened porches. Read Full Article »









