Why Animal Welfare Approved Matters at Alluvial Farms

Why Animal Welfare Approved Matters at Alluvial Farms

 

Raising pigs with care from birth to butcher.

Each year, Alluvial Farms undergoes a rigorous inspection to renew our Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) certification by A Greener World. This process isn’t a formality — it’s a deep dive into how we raise, handle, transport, and process our animals. For us, maintaining this certification reflects the core of what Alluvial stands for: transparency, respect for animals, and exceptional food for our customers.

What “Animal Welfare Approved” Really Means

 

The AWA program is recognized internationally as the gold standard for pasture-based livestock welfare. Farms can’t simply sign up and pay a fee. Certification must be earned and maintained through on-farm audits that verify compliance with hundreds of detailed standards — covering everything from breeding and housing to feed, handling, and slaughter.

A few key requirements include:

 

• Pasture access year-round — animals must live primarily outdoors and have continuous access to pasture, not just a small exercise yard.
• No crates or confinement — farrowing and gestation crates are strictly prohibited; sows must be able to nest and move freely.
• No routine antibiotics, growth hormones, or animal by-products — preventative overuse is not allowed, and feed ingredients must meet strict traceability requirements.
• Humane handling and transport — animals must be moved calmly and processed at approved facilities with low-stress designs and trained staff.
• Comprehensive record keeping — feed sources, veterinary care, pasture rotations, and slaughter dates must all be documented and available for inspection.

 

These aren’t marketing buzzwords — they are enforceable standards that must be met every day, on every pasture and in every batch of feed.

 

Our Annual Inspection

 

Our yearly AWA audit typically lasts several hours. An independent inspector reviews records, examines facilities, observes animal behavior, and evaluates handling practices. Every part of the operation is verified — from how we farrow piglets to how we load finished hogs for processing at Island Grown Farmers Cooperative.

It’s a process that demands transparency and attention to detail, but it also gives us the opportunity to keep improving. Each inspection ends with a report noting any suggested changes, which we review carefully to make sure Alluvial continues to meet — and exceed — the standard.

 

Why We Commit to These Standards

 

Simply put: the way animals are raised shows up in the quality of the meat. Pigs that live with access to clean pasture, fresh air, and natural rooting opportunities produce pork with superior texture, flavor, and fat quality. Beyond that, it reflects the kind of food system we want to be part of — one rooted in care rather than shortcuts.

For us, animal welfare isn’t a cost of doing business; it’s an investment in quality and integrity. Our customers trust that “Animal Welfare Approved” means something — that every package of bacon, roast, or sausage started with healthy pigs living natural lives.

Beyond the Barnyard

 

The AWA certification also connects our practices to a broader movement. Farms across the country that carry this label commit to raising animals in ways that restore soil health, respect biodiversity, and build trust between farmers and eaters. Being part of that network keeps us accountable and inspired.

In addition to our core pork program, we’ve expanded whole-animal utilization through value-added products like pet treats made from dehydrated organs and skin-care products crafted from rendered pork fat. These products honor each animal by ensuring nothing goes to waste — a philosophy that aligns perfectly with the AWA mission of responsible stewardship from birth to butcher.

 

The Takeaway

 

Earning and maintaining the Animal Welfare Approved certification requires time, documentation, and dedication. But for us, it’s worth every step. It gives our customers confidence that “pasture-raised” at Alluvial Farms is more than a label — it’s a verified promise that every animal was treated with care and respect throughout its life.

So the next time you pick up Alluvial pork or one of our value-added products, know that you’re supporting farming that puts welfare, transparency, and quality first — from the first day on pasture to the final cut in your kitchen.