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Sustainability Criteria

pdf_tinyLivestock Producer Sustainability Criteria

pdf_tinyProduce and Grain Grower Sustainability Criteria

pdf_tinyGeneral Sustainability Criteria

Western Sustainability Exchange uses the following criteria to qualify farmers and ranchers for WSE’s Market Connection Program.

These criteria reflect years of market research that identifies the characteristics many consumers, chefs, and natural food markets demand in “natural food” products.  The elements of the Criteria were developed in consultation with range specialists, ranchers, farmers, chefs, and consumer researchers.  These criteria ensure that producers:

  • treat animals humanely
  • eliminate hormones and sub-therapeutic antibiotics
  • significantly reduce or eliminate chemicals used in production practices
  • protect open space, wildlife habitat, and water quality

Producers must meet 75% of WSE’s Sustainability Criteria to qualify for marketing assistance.  Products containing growth-hormones and/or animal by-products as protein feed for livestock are ineligible.  Products that use GMOs as seed sources are also ineligible.

Sustainability Rating Logo

Food Production Practices
Do you practice sustainable agricultural methods that protect the long-term health of soil, water, air, open space, wildlife, and fish resources?

Do you:

  • Adhere to “Organic” production standards such as no chemical use?
  • Eliminate or significantly minimize chemical inputs such as solvents, fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides
  • Use chemical fertilizers on grain or hay fields?
  • Protect rangelands, riparian and other sensitive areas from overgrazing? If so, how?
  • Use time-controlled grazing?
  • Use back pour to control parasites?
  • Use feed grown with pesticides and herbicides?
  • Use insecticides ear tags for feedlot animals?
  • Finish livestock in a feedlot?
  • Finish livestock on grass?
  • Protect water resources from sediment and chemical contamination? If so, how?
  • Prevent erosion? If so, how?
  • Control noxious weeds and pests through integrated pest management, thus significantly reducing the use of synthetic chemical controls? If so, how?
  • Use a monitoring system to measure condition of range, pasture, riparian and/or water resources? If so, what do you monitor for?
  • Provide open space?
  • Provide fish & wildlife habitat? If so, for what species?
  • Provide humane livestock conditions such as access to the outdoors, suitable shelter, balanced feed rations, low-stress animal handling techniques?
  • Enhance production by aligning with natural cycles, such as spring calving? If so, how?
  • Produce the raw product within the Northern Rockies?
  • Produce a finished product from raw products produced within the Northern Rockies?
  • Use genetically engineered seeds or other organisms (GMOs)?
  • Use growth hormones and subtherapeutic antibiotics?
  • Feed livestock animal by-products as protein?

Business Practices
Does your farm or ranch use sustainable business practices?

Do you:

  • Conserve energy, such as using energy efficient equipment & lighting? If so, how?
  • Use renewable energy? If so, how?
  • Recycle?
  • Use fuel-efficient vehicles? If so, which ones?
  • Use recycled or sustainably-produced business products? If so, which ones?
  • Use alternative fuels such as biodiesel or ethanol? If so, which ones?
  • Reduce waste and disposing of waste in a safe and responsible manner? If so, how?
  • Use organic products? Which ones?
  • Use sustainable building designs and materials? If so, which ones
  • Provide “living wage” jobs?
  • Provide health insurance and other benefits?