Hawthorne Valley Farm

Rating
Products	Yogurt, Raw, Fluid Milk
Website	https://store.hawthornevalley.org/
Market Area	East
Total Score	1150

They say: ” At our certified Organic and Biodynamic® Creamery, we craft yogurt, buttermilk and quark, and bottle raw and pasteurized milk from the rich, grass-fed milk of our mixed-breed dairy herd—raised with care, kept with their calves, and tended to in harmony with regenerative principles that nourish the land, animals, and people.”

Hawthorne Valley’s retail space supports a vibrant local economy by sourcing products from over 200 local and regional businesses. Hawthorne Valley’s farm store also carries all of the certified Organic and Biodynamic® products grown, made, and raised on their own farm, including organic yogurt.

This farm is certified by the Real Organic Project.

Rubric	Points	Comments and Notes
TOTAL (possible score is 1100 (plus extra credit))	1150	5-Cow Rating | Top-Rated
Transparency and Disclosure	100	Full and open disclosure with a history of high integrity
Brands that rate highest have a close relationship to their milk suppliers. Those that buy milk from industrial or unknown organic suppliers rate lowest. Milk Supply and Ownership Structure	100	Farmstead with daily, hands-on interaction with dairy cattle and farm business
Brands that only produce organic products make the biggest investments — in time and money — in the organic systems that benefit us all. Commitment to Organic Label	100	A 100% independent organic dairy brand with dedicated organic sourcing. Some products are not certified but raw milk is.
Pasture management refers to how outdoor areas are managed, with top-rated brands utilizing multiple strategies to maintain high quality pasture, providing environmental and animal welfare benefits. Pasture Management	100	Superb pasture management, far exceeding minimum organic requirements.
The grass-fed percentage category reflects diet, with top-rated brands far exceeding the minimum requirements laid out in the organic pasture rule. Grass Fed Percentage	100	Over 80% DMI and long grazing season
This category focuses on the sourcing of feed, supplements, and any added ingredients in the diet. The category also accounts for brands that source organic dairy from other operations. Top-rated brands produce all feed on farm or buy inputs locally. Supplemental Feed and Ingredients	100	Majority of feed produced on-site
Industry standard is to immediately remove calves from their mothers and individually house them. High scores in this area show that brand suppliers use group housing or otherwise promote calf socialization. Calves	100	Raised with mothers or nurse cows
High scoring brands milk only once or twice per day, allowing maximum time for cows to be outside exhibiting natural behaviors. Times Milked Per Day	100	2x a day
Lower cull and death rates receive more points (with some exceptions), as it is one indicator of high animal welfare. Deaths & Culls	100	Very low deaths and culls
Brands that closely monitor environmental factors, including soil and water quality, native species, and wildlife, receive the most points. Brands with specific policies and programs to boost environmental sustainability also receive high points. Environmental Impacts and Stewardship	100	Superb environmental stewardship with soil and water testing, manure management, supporting wildlife, etc.
Brands with specific policies and practices to support animal welfare score best. Brands may lose points in this category if they have a history of animal welfare concerns. Animal Welfare	100	Superb attention to animal welfare.
This category is non-scoring and provided for information. Organic Certifier (Informational)		NOFA-NY
Third-party labels carried by individual brands or product lines are listed here for more information. These are not scored, but some third-party labels may receive extra credit. Add On Labels (Informational)		Real Organic Project (provides extra credit), Animal Welfare Approved (provides extra credit), and certified Biodynamic.
Herd size refers to the number of adult cows in the milking herd. The general denotation for herd size (large, medium, and small) is based on the legal definition of “Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation”. Herd Size(s) (Informational)		Small
Brands may receive extra credit for practices and polices not reflected in the scorecard (see notes for details). Extra Credit	50	Real Organic Project (provides extra credit), Animal Welfare Approved (provides extra credit), and Demeter (Biodynamic)
The adjustment section is where any notes and adjustments to the score are indicated, such as penalties for non-compliances. Adjustments & Notes		None