Organic Prairie (CROPP)

Rating
Product offerings	Retail cuts, ground, hot dogs, sausage
Website	www.organicprairie.com
Market area	Nationwide
Location	La Farge, WI
Participated in Survey?	No
Total Score	490

This brand did not participate in Cornucopia’s survey. Organic Prairie is the meat branch of the CROPP co-operative that Organic Valley milk also belongs to. The majority of Organic Prairie producers are small ethical family farmers, though some meat may come from larger producers. Practices on-farm will vary, especially be region. Organic Prairie beef, especially the ground beef, may also come from the dairy pipeline (meaning dairy cattle are finished for meat) which is a common way to diversify a dairy business. The brand also produces organic poultry and pork.

At this time CROPP has not fully participated in Cornucopia’s investigation. However, due to Cornucopia’s familiarity with CROPP farms and farmers some information was able to be confirmed. We hope that CROPP will choose transparency in the future because in general their practices are very good for a nationwide brand. 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)	490	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	75	Co-op with somewhat close relationship to suppliers
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	75	Co-op with multiple suppliers
Farms that are 100% certified organic receive the most points, farms/brands that are split conventional and organic receive fewer points. Commitment to Organics	90	Only produces organic under CROPP umbrella
This category is non-scoring and provided for information purposes. Organic Certifier		Varies farm-to farm
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	Varies farm-to farm
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	Beef finishing varies per supplier, but meeting 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	70	Typical CROPP producer has pasturing techniques that exceed organic minimum
Brands that closely monitor and manage for health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points. Environmental Stewardship	0	Unknown/cannot confirm
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	Unknown feed sourcing, some feed produced on-site for some suppliers
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	CROPP maintains oversight over their suppliers through agreements
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