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.
OFFICERS & STAFF
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Don Davis – AGA President
Brad Buchanan – AGA Vice President
Chad Lemke – AGA Treasurer
Kathy Webster – AGA Secretary
Will Harris – Director Emeritus
BOARD MEMBERS
Brad Buchanan – Board Member
Greg Gunthorp – Board Member
Curtiss Newell – Board Member
STAFF
Carrie Balkcom – Executive Director
Michael Payan – Marketing Director
Sherri Dugger – Program Director
Danielle Shaddock – Lead reviewer
COMMITTEE & ADVISORS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Don Davis
Brad Buchanan
Chad Lemke
Kathy Webster
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Brad Buchanan – AGA Vice President
Chad Lemke, AGA Board Treasurer
Carrie Balkcom, AGA Executive Director
Kathy Webster, AGA Board Secretary
BUSINESS STRATEGY COMMITTEE
Don Davis
Brad Buchanan
Carrie Balkcom
BOARD DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Brad Buchanan
Don Davis
Carrie Balkcom
GRASSFED STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION COMMITTEE
Don Davis, AGA Board President
Carrie Balkcom, AGA Executive Director
Chad Lemke, AGA Board Treasurer
Curtiss Newell, AGA Board
MARKETING COMMITTEE
Michael Payan
ADVOCACY POLICY & OUTREACH COMMITTEE
Greg Gunthorp, Gunthorp Farms
Carrie Balkcom, American Grassfed Association
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
Carrie Balkcom
Brad Buchanan
Kathy Webster