About Us
|
Our standards/certification applies to all farms and ranches approved by the American On June 11, 2003, a group of producers, food service industry personnel and consumer interest representatives established the American Grassfed Association (AGA). The goal of the association is to promote the grassfed industry through government relations, research, concept marketing and public education. Grassfed producers began meeting in early 2003, with partial funding of their Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Cooperative Development Center, Denver, Colorado. In addition the AGA has been awarded a $25,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Business Development Grant to promote the association with producers, professionals and consumers. Among the AGA’s top priorities is working with the USDA to establish a legal definition for grassfed and to implement a labeling program that benefits producers to acquire a premium for products that meets the criteria, while providing a service to consumers wishing to buy grassfed products. In addition, the AGA will communicate the value of grassfed products to associated industries and consumers and serve as a source on grassfed products for consumers and the new media. The association also will provide a network within its membership to share information and direct consumers wishing to buy grassfed products to the suppliers nearest them. Products from grassfed animals include beef, bison, lamb, pork, poultry, eggs and dairy products. A variety of research shows that meat, dairy products, poultry and eggs from animals fed grass diets, rather than grain based diets, are higher in beta carotene (Vitamin A), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and Omega-3 fatty acids. Initial research has shown all of these elements to be crucial in reducing cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure and other life threatening diseases. Research also shows grassfed products to be lower in fat and cholesterol and less likely to contain harmful E. coli bacteria. The AGA defines grassfed products from ruminants, including cattle, bison, goats and sheep, as those food products from animals that have eaten nothing but their mother’s milk and fresh grass or grass-type hay from their birth. For non-ruminants, including pigs and poultry, grass is a large part of their diets. Many products have been and continue to be marketed as ‘grassfed’, when grass is only part of their diet. This mis-marketing is just one of the reasons the American Grassfed Association is pushing hard for strict USDA guidelines on grassfed marketing claims. The association is currently headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Producers of all grassfed products, food service industry personnel, health care professionals, members of the media, and consumers are all welcome to join. Those interested in membership in AGA can click here: Membership Page.
Officers & AGA StaffPresident Vice President Secretary/Treasurer Executive Director Administrative Coordinator Committees and Chairs
Certification: Research: Supplements: Governance: By-Laws: Elections:
DirectorsBison Director: Beef Director: Dairy Director: Sheep Director: Goat Director: Poultry Director:
Swine Director: Director At Large:
AdvisorsNutritional Advisor (Certification ) (Organic) (Newsletter) Wendy White (Marketing) Matt Jones (Consumer Group) Marilyn Wentz (Media) Culinary Advisors: Stephen Kleinman, Chef Bob Perry
|
