HISTORY

Grassfed producers began meeting in early 2003 with partial funding from the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Cooperative Development Center in Denver, Colorado. Later, AGA was awarded a $25,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture Business Development Grant to promote the association with producers, professionals, and consumers.

In the early years, one of AGA’s top priorities was working with the USDA to establish a legal definition for grassfed and to implement a labeling program to help producers receive a premium for products meeting the definition, while providing a service to consumers wishing to buy grassfed products. When the USDA introduced their definition in 2006, AGA’s producers and board decided to develop a more stringent standard. The AGA certification program and standards were introduced in 2009. Since, the USDA has dropped their definition and AGA’s standards and certification has been recognized as the leading definition and standard for grassfed meat and dairy production by multiple industry leading organizations.

In addition to the certification program for grassfed producers, AGA communicates the value of grassfed products to consumers, chefs, and the media and serves as a resource for information. We also advocate and work to make positive change in policies for pasture-based producers.

The American Grassfed Association is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.