Stonewall Farms

Rating
Farm/Brand HeadquartersKeene, NH
ProductsFluid milk, raw milk
Websitestonewallfarm.org
Market AreaNH
Total Score1100

Cornucopia’s investigations have confirmed that this brand is not a factory dairy, and in fact would probably be top rated if they participated in our investigation.

This brand may be a good choice, but we recommend that consumers do their homework and reach out to brand representatives to ensure it meets a consistent, high-integrity, organic standard.

In addition to their own non-profit dairy, Stonewall is a Stonyfield Organics milk supplier. A small amount of milk is also sold to other brands.

Under their own brand, this farm primarily sells raw organic milk out of a farm store.

CriteriaPointsComment
TOTAL (possible score is 1600 plus extra credit) 1100
4-Cow Rating | Excellent
Farmstead dairies earn the most points. Corporations that have a history of skirting the organic rules receive the fewest.
Ownership structure
90Stonewall Farm is a nonprofit 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
100Investigation shows single-farm sourcing
100% organic farms receive the most points. Split operations with conventional dairy on the same property receive the fewest.
Organic Production
100100% organic production
Farms that completed the survey in detail received the most points.
Disclosure of Information for Verification
0Did not participate
Points determined by integrity of the brand’s organic certifier.
Organic Certification
100NHDAMF
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
0Unknown
100% grass-fed with independent verification of standards
Grass-fed
70Exceeds USDA minimum; feeds some grain
No points are given for this but the information may be useful to certain consumers looking to avoid soy.
Soy Free Ration?
Unknown
Sliding scale based on policies, enforcement, acreage/cow, days/year on pasture, and permissible exemption.
Pasture
80Excellent pasture compliance
One time/day receives the most points. Two times per day is standard.
Times Milked
90Likely twice a day (standard)
Lower cull rate scores better, with under 10% receiving the most points.
Cull/death Rate
8-Investigation shows low cull rates
Farms with closed herds receive the most points. Farms that sell organic calves and buy conventional replacements receive the fewest.
Replacements
80Likely closed herd
Standard practice is removing calves shortly after birth, with extra points given for unique ways of managing calves
Calves
0Unknown
Farms that prohibit antibiotics receive the most points. Farms that allow young stock to receive antibiotics (under one year), receive the fewest.
Antibiotic Use
100No antibiotic use
No hormones is the standard, however some farms do use oxytocin for therapeutic purposes.
Hormone Usage
100No hormone use
Farmstead dairies (owner lives on-site) receive the most points. Fewer points are given as oversight declines.
Farm Support
90Teaching farm/nonprofit, close relationship between workers and brand
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
100No added ingredients
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
0None