Washington, DC – The American Humane Association (AHA) and Farm Animal Services (FAS) today announced that Springer Mountain Farms is the first  producer raising chickens for broiler production to qualify for the Free Farmed label. 

The label, unveiled this past fall, is the first-ever program to certify that farm animals are raised in a humane manner.  A Free Farmed label will assure consumers that the chicken products they purchase from Springer Mountain Farm come from animals that were treated according to animal welfare standards developed by AHA.

“We could not be more pleased that Springer Mountain Farms is the first broiler chicken producer to qualify for the Free Farmed label,” said Adele Douglass, Executive Director of FAS, which administers and monitors the Free Farmed program.  “Consumers in many markets across the country currently have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of farm animals by purchasing Free Farmed labeled eggs, dairy, beef and pork products.  With the addition of Springer Mountain Farms to the program, we can now add broiler chickens to this growing consumer movement.”

The American Humane Association launched the Free Farmed program in September, 2000.  The certification program is administered by Farm Animal Services, a nonprofit organization created by AHA.  FAS oversees the inspection, certification, and compliance of producers and other businesses that have applied for the Free Farmed label.  The United States Department of Agriculture verifies FAS’s inspection process.

The label is awarded based on animal welfare standards developed by the AHA Scientific Committee. The standards outline the housing, and environmental conditions for the animals, and also contain education standards for farm management and staff. The AHA Scientific Committee includes experts in the animal care, veterinary, animal behavior and animal welfare fields with experience in ethical and humane treatment of animals.  Currently, standards are in place for egg-laying hens, broiler chickens, dairy and beef cattle, and pigs.

Springer Mountain Farms, part of Fieldale Farms Corporation, is located in Northeast Georgia and has worked extensively with veterinarians and nutritionists to find the best way to raise its chickens.  From its home in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Springer Mountain Farms has pioneered a low-stress, environmentally controlled housing environment, which enables Fieldale Farms to grow Springer Mountain Farms birds in the most healthy and safe environment.