Maine's Own Organic Milk Company does not have its own farm or cows. All of our milk is produced on 10 family farms. These farms are listed on our website at moomilkco.com/index.php/our-family-farms and also listed on our milk cartons.

Our farmers understand that of all the assets of their business, none are more important than the cows. In fact, love for their animals is often what keeps farmers going during tough economic times. To be a successful dairy farmer, you must love and respect your animals, and keep them healthy. All of the farms that are part of Maine's Own Organic Milk Company are certified organic farms. Nine are certified by the the certifying agency in Maine, one by a Canadian certifier. Organic certification includes strict animal health and welfare issues. If producers do not follow these certification rules, they are denied certification. If they are not certified we can not handle their milk.

All farms are given rigorous on-site inspections every year and the record keeping requirements are very detailed. You may download the entire Maine certification rules at mofgacertification.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/manual2010.pdf. The section on animal health and housing reads as follows:

ANIMAL HEALTH & HOUSING

Housing for all livestock must provide adequate fresh air and daylight with clean, dry, appropriate bedding. Animals must have access to the outdoors when appropriate. Animals must always have enough room to freely get up, stretch, and lie down. Confinement to cages (except during transport) or overcrowding that prevents such movement is prohibited. Organic dairy, beef, sheep and goat livestock, at appropriate stages, must be pastured on managed pasture with edible forage during the grazing season and have access to outdoors during the non-grazing season, weather permitting (see feed section above). Certified growers must never deny treatment to an animal so that its product may be labeled "organic." If synthetic medication or antibiotics are needed for animal health they should be given. Such treated animals or animal products must then be diverted to conventional markets.

A. Required

1. Prevention of health problems through good farming practices including sanitation, fresh air space, light, pasture rotation, access to the outdoors, high quality feed, and clean dry bedding.

B. Recommended

1. Nutritional supplements (e.g., minerals, salts, kelp).

2. Selection of species that are appropriate for site-specific conditions.

C. Permitted

1. Vaccinations.

2. Probiotics (whey, lactobacillus, and colostrum). If you wish to use a commercial formulation that contains other ingredients, first make sure that the product is permitted.

3. Homeopathic remedies.

4. Herbal treatments.

5. Non-target, natural pest controls, e.g., rock powders, diatomaceous earth, botanical pesticides (topical use only), herbs, and essential oils.

6. Internal parasiticides only for breeder stock not in the last third of gestation, and dairy stock when used a minimum of 90 days prior to the production of milk or milk products. Only those parasiticides listed as permitted in The National List (NOP 205.603) in the Appendix can be used, and only when emergency treatment is necessary. Justification for use needs to be documented through diagnosis by a licensed veterinarian or with test results from a lab. Not permitted in organic slaughterstock. See Appendix V for more information.

7. Topical iodine disinfectants.

8. Synthetic medications only when active ingredient is permitted in NOP Section 205.603 (Appendix). MOFGA Agricultural Services can assist you with brand name products.

D. Not Permitted

1. Synthetic chemicals, medications, etc. or hormones (natural or synthetic) except those permitted in NOP Section 205.603 (Appendix I).

2. Routine use of synthetic parasiticides on breeding stock and dairy stock.

3. Use of synthetic parasiticides on slaughterstock.

4. Non-organic bedding material that is typically consumed by livestock.

More information about Livestock Health Care Materials can be found in Appendix V. More information about Livestock Housing requirements can be found in Appendix VI.

Thank you for your interest in Maine's Own Organic Milk Company and our family farms, and for your concern about the health and welfare of farm animals.