Larson Farm and Creamery
| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | Wells, VT |
| Products | Fluid milk, raw milk |
| Website | www.larsonfarmvt.com/ |
| Market Area | Northeast |
| Total Score | 1460 |
Larson Farm has over 300 acres of hay fields, pasture and woods, one mile south of the small village of Wells, Vermont. Larson Farm has been in business since June 1976 when we operated as a conventional dairy farm. Cynthia and Rich received production and milk quality awards, and were named Outstanding Young Farmers of the Year in 1985. The herd peaked at 150 milkers, but due to declining milk prices and shrinking profit margin, the conventional dairy operation was closed in 1993. The farm has since operated on a much smaller scale.
In 2007 the dairy was reactivated with four Jersey cows, selling ‘raw’ unpasteurized milk to friends and neighbors who appreciate the flavor and nutritional benefits of truly fresh milk. As demand for quality products increased, we added to the dairy herd and invested in soil improvement, became USDA-certified Organic, and PCO-certified 100% Grass-Fed.
For more information about this farm, see their about page – https://www.larsonfarmvt.com/our-farm
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1600 plus extra credit) | 1460 | 5-Cow Rating | Top-Rated |
Farmstead dairies earn the most points. Corporations that have a history of skirting the organic rules receive the fewest. Ownership structure | 100 | Family farm |
|
Farms that produce 100% of their milk receive the most points. Milk from "open market" or known confinement dairies receive the fewest. Milk Supply | 100 | Single farm |
|
100% organic farms receive the most points. Split operations with conventional dairy on the same property receive the fewest. Organic Production | 100 | Brand only markets organic dairy products |
|
Farms that completed the survey in detail received the most points.
Disclosure of Information for Verification | 100 | Full disclosure |
|
Points determined by integrity of the brand’s organic certifier. Organic Certification | 100 | Vermont Organic Farmers |
|
Animal Welfare Approved and Biodynamic certifications receive the most bonus points. Producers are not penalized for not having additional certifications beyond organic. Other Labels/Standards | 0 | None |
|
100% grass-fed with independent verification of standards Grass-fed | 90 | Grass-fed with some molasses in winter, no outside certification |
|
No points are given for this but the information may be useful to certain consumers looking to avoid soy. Soy Free Ration? | Yes | |
|
Sliding scale based on policies, enforcement, acreage/cow, days/year on pasture, and permissible exemption. Pasture | 100 | Excellent pasture compliance |
|
One time/day receives the most points. Two times per day is standard. Times Milked | 90 | Two times a day (standard protocol on legitimate organic dairies) |
|
Lower cull rate scores better, with under 10% receiving the most points. Cull/death Rate | 100 | Very low cull rate |
|
Farms with closed herds receive the most points. Farms that sell organic calves and buy conventional replacements receive the fewest. Replacements | 90 | Some replacement animals managed organically are purchased |
|
Standard practice is removing calves shortly after birth, with extra points given for unique ways of managing calves
Calves | 90 | Mixed group housing and nurse cow use |
|
Farms that prohibit antibiotics receive the most points. Farms that allow young stock to receive antibiotics (under one year), receive the fewest.
Antibiotic Use | 100 | No antibiotic use |
|
No hormones is the standard, however some farms do use oxytocin for therapeutic purposes. Hormone Usage | 100 | No hormones used |
|
Farmstead dairies (owner lives on-site) receive the most points. Fewer points are given as oversight declines. Farm Support | 100 | Single farm |
|
All ingredients sourced from inside the organization or on the farm receives the highest points. Ingredients from confinement factory farms and/or imported ingredients receive the fewest. Procurement of Ingredients | 100 | No outside ingredients used |
|
Various levels of extra credit given for 1) providing full organic systems plan, 2) providing details on all farms (multi-farm brands, details on largest five required), and 3) sourcing feed on-farm or domestically. Extra Credit | 0 | None |
