Seven Stars Farm
| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | Phoenixville, PA |
| Products | Fluid milk, biodynamic |
| Website | www.sevenstarsfarm.com/index.html |
| Market Area | East, Southeast, Midwest |
| Total Score | 1571 |
They write: “Seven Stars Farm is a 425 acre certified Biodynamic dairy farm located in northern Chester County, PA. We are one of the oldest organic farms in the United States, founded in the 1930?s. Since then we have used herbal preparations to enhance the vitality of the soil, plants and animals. With our herd of Jersey cows, we strive to create the ideal farm: a self-sustaining and ecologically balanced system that builds and sustains soil fertility through crop rotation and farm composts. The cows graze from early spring through late fall, coming in only for milking. When necessary to meet demand, we purchase milk from neighboring organic farms. These farms treat their land and animals as we do, with sound Biodynamic and organic practices and plenty of loving care. Thus, all the milk used is of top quality making Seven Stars Organic Yogurt simply the finest yogurt available!
Our yogurt is sold via natural foods distributors, natural foods stores and major food store chains throughout the eastern United States. It is available in four 32oz. flavors: Whole Milk Plain, Maple, Vanilla, and Lemon. For a lighter product, we also provide Low-Fat Plain and Low-Fat Maple. Organic Maple syrup, organic vanilla extract, organic lemon extract and cultures are the only additional ingredients added to our milk. The result is an old-fashioned, European-style yogurt that is unique, delicious and nutritious.
All of our products are NON-GMO verified, Certified Organic, Kosher and amazingly delicious!”
Note that the Seven Stars home farm is certified Biodynamic, but their yogurt is made with help of certified organic milk from our organic partner farms. This makes the final product certified organic, but not certified Biodynamic.
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1600 plus extra credit) | 1571 | 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 | Farmstead dairy |
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Farms that produce 100% of their milk receive the most points. Milk from "open market" or known confinement dairies receive the fewest. Milk Supply | 90 | Multiple farms around one main farmstead, closely knit |
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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 |
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Farms that completed the survey in detail received the most points.
Disclosure of Information for Verification | 100 | Full disclosure |
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Points determined by integrity of the brand’s organic certifier. Organic Certification | 91 | Stellar Certification Services for two farms (and organic yogurts); Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) for three farms |
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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 | 100 | Home farm is certified biodynamic , salmon safe, some products certified non-GMO |
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100% grass-fed with independent verification of standards Grass-fed | 75 | Well exceeds usda percent intake requirements |
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No points are given for this but the information may be useful to certain consumers looking to avoid soy. Soy Free Ration? | No | |
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Sliding scale based on policies, enforcement, acreage/cow, days/year on pasture, and permissible exemption. Pasture | 90 | Excellent pasture compliance |
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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) |
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Lower cull rate scores better, with under 10% receiving the most points. Cull/death Rate | 60 | Moderate cull rate and low death rate |
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Farms with closed herds receive the most points. Farms that sell organic calves and buy conventional replacements receive the fewest. Replacements | 100 | Closed herd |
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Standard practice is removing calves shortly after birth, with extra points given for unique ways of managing calves
Calves | 80 | Calves raised with mothers for one week before going to group housing |
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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 |
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No hormones is the standard, however some farms do use oxytocin for therapeutic purposes. Hormone Usage | 100 | No hormones used |
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Farmstead dairies (owner lives on-site) receive the most points. Fewer points are given as oversight declines. Farm Support | 95 | Staff visits farms frequently |
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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 |
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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 | 100 | With respect to the concern of fraudulent grain imports, this dairy produces 100% of their own feed. |
