Villageside Farm
| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | Freedom, ME |
| Website | http://www.villagesidefarm.com/ |
| Market Area | ME |
| Total Score | 1605 |
They write: “We offer our customers beef and chickens and eggs. We tend our animals with respect and gratitude. We believe that meat raised on our farm is the best you can find anywhere. We feed certified organic grain to our chickens and never give any animal hormones or antibiotics. The animals enjoy a “natural” life, doing whatever activities their species prefers: grazing, rooting, scratching, taking a dust bath, etc. The taste and quality are far superior to any feedlot or factory-raised animal but the impact on the environment is also to be noted. All of our animals benefit our farm system. We use their manure, and/or ability to weed and till the soil to enhance the diversity of our farm. These animals live a healthy, outdoor life.”
This farm is certified by the Real Organic Project.
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1700) | 1605 | 5-egg |
Brands that have close daily control over their egg production receive the most points. Ownership Structure | 100 | Single-farm source, daily and hands-on interaction with the laying hens and farm business |
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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 | 100% organic sourcing and brand |
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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 | 100 | Real Organic Project |
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Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions. Flock Size(s) | 100 | Flock size of 100 birds |
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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 | Mobile units in summer with fixed housing out-of-season |
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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 | Chicken tractors in summer and 25 square feet per bird in fixed housing during winter |
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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 | Seasonally 100% vegetation and 75% in winter |
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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 access year round |
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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 | 90 | Introduced to outdoors at 8 weeks, season allowing |
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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 | Enrichments provided 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 | 100 | Beak trimming not allowed |
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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 | 80 | Brand purchases day-old chicks to raise into 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 | 80 | Death loss under 5%; spent hens sold live, have long lifespan on-farm |
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Brands that closely monitor and manage health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points. Environmental Impacts | 80 | Manure is spread by the birds, outdoor areas rotated |
| Feed Sourcing | 75 | Obtains feed from organic supplier that distributes locally, 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 | 100 | Hens have long lifespan on-farm, excellent 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 |
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Brands do not receive points, but this information is offered for people with soy and/or gluten allergies. Soy free and/or gluten free? | Not soy or gluten 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) | MOFGA | |
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Extra credit is offered for various practices that go above-and-beyond in some form. Extra Credit | 0 | None |
