Foster Farms PERF First to be Certified by American Humane Association
US - For the first time ever, an educational and research facility has been certified by the 136-year-old American Humane Association, the nation's first national humanitarian organization.
13 March 2013
3 minute read
Fresno State dedicated its new Foster Farms Poultry Education and Research Facility (PERF) at Fresno State's Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. The facility features a fully working, state-of-the-art poultry barn and is a reflection of the longstanding support of agricultural education and ongoing advancements in poultry science by major West Coast poultry producer Foster Farms.
The 16,320-square-foot, eco-friendly, power-efficient building will include advanced climate-control and feed delivery systems replicating professional poultry production. The facility has been designed to provide hands-on agricultural training and education for more than 500 students in the Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education Department. Faculty and students will also conduct research in the areas of poultry nutrition, animal welfare and improved environmental practices.
The new educational and research facility will meet the same stringent animal welfare standards used by American Humane Association's American Humane Certified™ program, the nation's first, largest and fastest-growing farm animal welfare certification and audit program. The program is based on the implementation and independent, third-party verification of more than rigorous 200 science-based animal welfare standards, covering everything from food and water to living conditions, lighting, ventilation, minimum space requirements, and the ability of animals to express natural behavior.
The dedication was made in conjunction with a major joint animal welfare announcement from American Humane Association and Foster Farms, which revealed that all the producer's fresh chicken products are now certified under the nonprofit's American Humane Certified program.
"American Humane Association is dedicated to the idea that all animals are entitled to humane treatment," said Kathi Brock, National Director of American Humane Association's Humane Heartland™ program. "We are very pleased to certify Fresno State's education and research facilities in its adherence to our rigorous, science-based animal welfare standards."
