Apple Creek
| Rating |  |
| Company | Apple Creek |
| Outdoor Access | Truly Pastured |
| Market Area | ME |
| Location | Bowdoinham, ME |
| Market Area Detail | Maine |
| Website | www.applecreekfarm.wordpress.com |
| Total Score | 2330 |
Apple Creek Farm, LLC is a MOFGA certified organic farm located in Bowdoinham Maine. The farm was established by the Galle family in 1985 and is now run by the second-generation. Jake Galle and Abby Sadauckas co-own and operate the farm utilizing 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. Other livestock products include: hay, wool, cashmere, sheep and goat skins. Apple Creek Farm products are sold locally in Brunswick year-round at both farmers markets and local food retailers.
| Criteria | Points | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 2700) | 2330 | 5-Egg Rating | Top Rated |
 Family farms and farmer cooperatives that market their own eggs receive the most points. Corporations that do not produce any eggs receive the fewest points. Ownership Structure | 100 | family farm, produces all of own eggs |
| Flocks of 500 birds or fewer receive the most points based on Animal Welfare Approved standards. Average Flock Size | 100 | under 500 birds |
| Single henhouses receive the most points. Single or Double Henhouses | 100 | single |
| Animal Welfare Approved and Biodynamic certifications receive the most bonus points. Producers are not penalized for not having additional certifications beyond organic. Other Certifications (bonus points) | none | |
| Points determined by integrity of the brand’s organic certifier. Organic Certifier | 100 | MOFGA |
| Farms that are 100% certified organic receive the most points, farms/brands that are split conventional and organic receive fewer points. Commitment to Organics | 80 | markets both organic and conventional eggs |
| More than 1.8 square feet per bird receives the most points, less than 1.2 square feet receives the fewest. Indoor Space per Bird | 60 | avg 3 sq ft/hen over year |
| Farms with perches, scratching areas and deep litter or year round pasture receive the most points. Indoor Enrichments | 100 | perches, dust baths, litter, pasture |
| Farms that freshen litter weekly receive the most points. Litter Management | 80 | freshened as needed |
| Farms that ensure birds have ample access to outdoors during daylight hours receive the most points. Natural Light | 100 | birds have ample access to outdoors for natural light |
| Farms that ensure 108 square feet per bird or more outdoors receive the most points. Outdoor Space per Bird | 100 | |
| Farms that ensure birds are in mobile housing or 1 large door per 75 birds receive the most points. Popholes/Exit to the Outdoors | 100 | at least one door for every 75 hens |
| Farms that ensure birds have access to feed, water and shade outdoors receive the most points. Outdoor Enrichments | 100 | water, shade, feed |
| Farms that can ensure outdoor access year round or those that only confine birds during inclement weather receive the most points. Outdoor Space Exemptions | 90 | outdoor access year-round except during the coldest temps |
| Farms that use mobile housing rotated on pasture every 1-2 days or weekly receive the most points. Outdoor Management System | 90 | mobile housing moved weekly, fixed in winter |
| Farms that recycle chicken manure on the farm, using it for fertilizer, without causing nutrient pollution, receive the most points. Manure Handling System | 100 | manure recycled on the farm |
| Farms that never force molting receive the most points. Forced Molting | 100 | no forced molting |
| Farms that never trim or tip beaks receive the most points. Beak Trimming | 100 | no beak trimming |
| Farms where hens live an average of 3+ years or 1.6-3 years receive the most points. Laying Hen Lifespan | 80 | 2.5-3 years old |
| Farms where spent hens die a natural death, are sold for meat, or are processed and sold for human consumption, receive the most points. Use of Spent Hens | 100 | most sold live as backyard birds, some processed by family for stewing hens |
| Farms where the death loss rate of hens is less than 3% annually receive the most points. Death Loss Rate | 80 | 3-5% annually |
| Farms that breed and incubate their own chicks, or raise their own pullets, receive the most points. Pullets | 80 | raises own pullets from chicks |
| Farms that allow pullets access to the outdoors within the first 6 weeks of life, or within 6-10 weeks, receive the most points. Pullet Access to Outdoors | 100 | by 2nd week of life |
| Farms where all feed is produced on the farm receive the most points. Feed Produced on Farm | 50 | no feed produced on farm but access to pasture |
| Farms where 100% of the feed is grown in the US or Canada receive the most points. US Grown Feed | 70 | actively work to secure US grown feed but can't be certain |
| No points are given for this but the information may be useful to certain consumers looking to avoid soy. Soy in Feed | Yes | soy in feed ration |
| Farms that do not feed synthetic amino acids receive the most points. Synthetic Amino Acids | 70 | No more than 2 lbs per ton |
| Farms that participated in Cornucopia’s research providing full transparency receive the most points. Disclosure Rate | 100 | full disclosure |