Cold Springs Ranch

Rating
Product offerings	Unknown
Website	Unknown
Market area	Locally in MT
Location	Bozeman, MT
Specialty labels	100% grass fed
Participated in Survey?	No
Total Score	230

This brand did not participate in Cornucopia’s survey. Cornucopia’s investigation some limited information about this brand and associated farming practices, but was not able to confirm everything due to the brand owners not participating in our survey. If you are familiar with this brand we encourage you contact the brand owners and ask for them to participate in Cornucopia’s research.

Nate Powell-Palm is a National Organic Standards Board member (from January 2020 – January 2025). He operates Cold Spring Organics, a 1,000 leased acre certified organic farm outside Belgrade, Montana. He is a first-generation farmer and rancher, with diverse experience across a range of crops, grains, and livestock. Powell-Palm has extensive experience inspecting organic operations around the United States as an independent organic inspector. As an educator he developed curriculum and provided training around the United States and internationally for the International Organic Inspectors Association. He has served on several agricultural boards both at the state and national level.

Criteria	Points	Comment
TOTAL (possible score is 1100)	230	2-Steak
Farms that participated in Cornucopia’s research providing full transparency receive the most points. Transparency and Disclosure	30	Did not participate; some info found online
Family farms and farmer cooperatives that market their own beef receive the most points. Corporations that do not directly produce any beef receive the fewest points. Ownership History	0	Unknown
Beef sourced from a single operation receives the most points. Beef of unclear origins and/or with poor oversight receives the fewest points. Beef Supply	40	Likely single-farm/ranch source
Farms that are 100% certified organic receive the most points, farms/brands that are split conventional and organic receive fewer points. Commitment to Organics	40	Appears commited to organics, but unable to confirm
This category is non-scoring and provided for information purposes. Organic Certifier		MTDA
Animal Welfare Approved, Real Organic Project, and Biodynamic certifications receive the most bonus points. Producers are not penalized for not having additional certifications beyond organic. Other Labels and Standards	0	Unknown
100% grass-fed and finished or cattle finished with site-grown supplement receives the most points. Cattle finished exclusively in a feedlot receive the fewest points. Beef Finishing	50	Unknown finishing practices, but at least meets organic minimum
Points are awarded for quantity of time cattle are on pasture above and beyond what the USDA requires, and for the quality and care of the pasture. Pasture and Grazing Management	20	Some evidence of moderate pasturing practices, but unable to confirm
Brands that closely monitor and manage for health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points. Environmental Stewardship	0	Unknown
Cattle finished on pasture or on feed that is grown on-farm or procured locally receive the most points. Feed of unknown origin, or known to be imported, receives the fewest points. Feed Sourcing	0	Unknown
Lower cull and death rates recieve more points. Cull and Death Rates	0	Unknown
More points are given for greater frequency of contact and close management with cattle and closed herds. Oversight	50	Farmstead with likely close oversight
Brands may receive extra credit for above and beyond transparency, or special practices not otherwise covered in the scorecard (see description for an explanation). Extra credit	0	None