Apple Creek Farm
| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | Bowdoinham, ME |
| Website | https://applecreekfarm.me/ |
| Market Area | ME |
| Total Score | 1465 |
Apple Creek Farm is a diversified farm that uses a variety of sustainable farming practices, including multi-species grazing. The farm produces certified organic, grass-fed beef, lamb and goat, as well as pasture-raised, certified organic poultry (broilers, geese and turkeys) and free-range certified organic eggs.
This farm’s eggs can be found in Brunswick, ME farmers markets.
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1700) | 1465 | 5-egg |
Brands that have close daily control over their egg production receive the most points. Ownership Structure | 100 | Single farm that produces all of eggs marketed |
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Brands that only produce organic products make the biggest investments — in time and money — in systems that benefit us all. Eggs sourced from a single operation receive the most points. Eggs of unclear origins and/or with poor oversight receives the fewest points. Commitment to Organic Label | 100 | Eggs come from single-farm source and farm only produces organic eggs |
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Additional certifications, depending on the credibility of the label, can demonstrate a commitment beyond the organic standards. Other Labels and Standards | 0 | None |
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Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions. Flock Size(s) | 100 | High welfare flock sizes, less that 500 hens per mobile house, 600-hen winter flock size |
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The best housing offers space for natural behaviors and legitimate access to the outdoors through adequate exits. Hen Housing and Exit Areas | 100 | Uses mobile housing (winter fixed hoop house) |
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Adequate indoor spacing reduces stress and disease. With less crowding, birds can stretch their wings and more easily perform other natural behaviors. Indoor Spacing | 100 | Excellent indoor spacing (mobile coops) |
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High scoring brands provide enough space to allow each hen to fully utilize their outdoor area, and to perform instinctive behaviors without harming the environment. Outdoor Spacing | 100 | Excellent outdoor spacing in summer, 112 square feet |
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High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round. Quality of Outdoor Access | 100 | High-quality outdoor time, rotated pasture and excellent winter housing |
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Birds that are introduced to the outdoors early are more accustomed to spending time outdoors without fear or stress. Outdoor Access Timing | 60 | Pullet supplier offers access once pullets are fully feathered |
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Year-round access to perches, scratching areas, deep litter, novel foodstuffs, and dust bathing contribute to quality of life. Enrichments | 100 | High-quality enrichments used indoors and outdoors |
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Chickens use their beaks to interact with the world. Authentic organic farmers account for this behavior, eschewing beak trimming. Alterations | 90 | Brand moving away from beak trimming with new flocks and does not allow forced molting |
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Raising chicks on farm or buying them from certified organic hatcheries shows dedication to organic production from start to finish. Chicks and Pullets | 60 | Sources organic pullets |
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Brands that have low rates of deaths and utilize their spent hens for human consumption or similar score the highest. Deaths, Culls, and Spent Hens | 100 | Death rate below 5%; hens sold live and used for human consumption |
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Brands that closely monitor and manage health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points. Environmental Impacts | 90 | Maintains 90-100% vegetation during growing season and takes measures to protect soil while still allowing outdoor access during the winter |
| Feed Sourcing | 90 | Feed is sourced from local organic mill, also certified GMO-free |
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Brands that score well here go above and beyond to ensure the highest animal welfare, taking into consideration their hens’ safety and cleanliness, natural behavior, and stress levels. Animal Welfare | 75 | Excellent animal welfare |
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Cornucopia believes you have a right to transparency. Top brands share information with Cornucopia via a survey and cooperate with our own independent investigations. Transparency | 100 | Full and open transparency |
| Soy free and/or gluten free? (non-scoring) | Gluten but not soy free | |
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Brands do not receive points, but are invited to submit the name of their Accredited Organic Certifier (suppliers may have different certifiers). Organic Certifier (non-scoring) | Quality Certification Services | |
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Extra credit is offered for various practices that go above-and-beyond in some form. Extra Credit | 0 | None |
