Animal Welfare Approved - New Farms: Welcome to the Program

Will Harris of White Oak Pastures

The Harris family has raised cows on their Georgia land for the last five generations.  Will Harris is proud to farm much the same way his great-grandfather did, though there have been some changes over the years. In Harris' father's time and in the beginning of his own "watch," there was a period where they focused on raising calves for the conventional market. Now, the growing awareness of health benefits from grass-fed beef has made this return to traditional farming practices possible. "We've come about as full-circle as you can get," says Harris. Cows at White Oak Pastures eat grass on grass, and are never confined to a feedlot. Harris's beef recently won the Grand Prize in the Flavor of Georgia Contest. On being accredited by the nonprofit, Will Harris says, "What I appreciate about Animal Welfare Approved certification is that it is truly for family farms. When I became Animal Welfare Approved, I did not have to change my production practices. We farm this way because it is our culture, and it is the right thing to do."

Source: http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/index.php?page=newfarms