Kiowa Valley Organics
Rating | |
Product offerings | Wholesale, retail cuts, ground |
Website | kiowavalleyorganics.com |
Market area | Locally in CO |
Location | Roggen, CO |
Specialty labels | Diversified, 100% grass fed |
Participated in Survey? | No |
Total Score | 480 |
This brand did not participate in Cornucopia’s survey. Previously Golden West Farms, Kiowa Valley Organics sells organic beef farm-direct. They say: “We are a small farm located about an hour northeast of Denver. Everything we row/raise/sell is USDA Certified Organic and comes from our farm. We grow a wide variety of produce as well as raise cattle that we sell wholesale. We participate in multiple farmers’ markets where we offer a greater selection of goods.”
Cornucopia’s investigation found some 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.
Criteria | Points | Comment |
---|---|---|
TOTAL (possible score is 1100) | 480 | 3-Steak |
Farms that participated in Cornucopia’s research providing full transparency receive the most points. Transparency and Disclosure | 40 | Did not participate; investigation found some information |
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 | 50 | Diversified farmstead with likely close oversight |
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 | 50 | Did not participate but likely single farm 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 | 100 | Strong commitment to organic label confirmed |
This category is non-scoring and provided for information purposes. Organic Certifier | CDA | |
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 | 40 | Grass-based production, meeting organic requirements at least |
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 | 60 | Likely exceeding minimum requirements for pasture care |
Brands that closely monitor and manage for health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points. Environmental Stewardship | 40 | Unknown, but diversified farming offers some site-specific benefits |
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 | 50 | At least some feed produced on-site |
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 | Some evidence of good oversight due to small family-scale farm, unknown if closed herd |
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 |