3663220

First Berrien Farm Earns AWA Certification

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The increasing concern for and focus on the welfare of farm animals has come home to roost in Berrien County. Like fellow like-minded farmers across the country, Michelle and Mike Deschaaf recognize the growing consumer interest in how animals are raised on farms, and now they have earned the coveted distinction of being the first farm in Berrien County to be awarded top environmental and animal welfare certification for their pigs.

As owners and operators of 1936 Meadowbrook Farm on Meadowbrook Road in Benton Harbor, the Deschaafs maintain a herd of pigs and join only two other Certified Animal Welfare Approved pork producers in the entire state of Michigan. The other two are Crane Dance Farm in Middleville, Michigan and Jake's Country Meats of Cassopolis. The certification and food label lets consumers know the animals are raised in accordance with the highest animal welfare standards in the U.S. and Canada, using sustainable agriculture methods on an independent family farm. 

1936 Meadowbrook Farm was purchased in 1935 by Mike Deschaaf's great grandfather Jan Deschaaf. Michelle, MIke and their son Otto Deschaaf are the 4th and 5th generations in their family to farm the land. They raise about 100 heritage breed Mangalitsa pigs on 40 acres of rolling pasture, and they selected that breed because it was well adapted to snowy Michigan winters and large, open pastures. 

Michelle explains that "Pasture-based management is a very important part of our practices. We use rotational grazing so we do not deplete the natural grasses and forage, and moving the animals to different pastures also helps with parasite management and allows the pigs to engage in natural behaviors out in the fresh air."

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The Deschaafs decided to pursue AWA certification because they felt it would help them tell their story. As Michelle puts it, "Becoming Certified AWA was an important step for us. We want to be able to say we have independent audits on our farm and that we are raising our animals to the highest standard possible."

Andrew Gunther is Program Director for the Animal Welfare Approved program. He contends, "The accountability and integrity offered by Animal Welfare Approved farmers like Michelle and Mike are unmatched in food production." He adds, "We're glad to have 1936 Meadowbrook Farm in the AWA family."

Called a "badge of honor for farmers" and the gold standard, AWA is the most highly regarded food label in North America when it comes to animal welfare, pasture-based farming, and sustainability.

Certified AWA pork from 1936 Meadowbrook Farm is available directly from the farm, as well as at Chesterton's European Farmers Market in Indiana and Sommerfeldt's Farm in Michigan. All interested parties are urged to call first for availability when purchasing direct from the farm. You can get additional information by calling 269-363-9334, or by visiting the farm online by clicking the link below.

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