How does Niman Ranchs work with family farms differ from industrial farming?
Niman Ranch works only with small family-run farms and ranches. Our definition of family farm was developed by the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI): farms on which an individual or family owns all the animals, depends on the farm for livelihood and provides the major part of the daily labor necessary for the farm’s management and upkeep. Industrial hog production has shifted from family farms to large factory-style contract farms. Since 1950 the number of U.S. hog farms has dropped from 3 million to less than 98,500 in 1998. Each factory farm typically produces more than 100,000 hogs a year, crowding thousands of animals into cramped indoor confinement. Factory farms separate the ownership of land and livestock from the hands-on management and labor, emphasizing high volume and profit. Niman Ranch is concerned with the quality of our product, as well as the health and safety of the animals, the consumers and the environment. Our operations are small and sustainable.
