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Horizon Organic® started in 1991, and was one of the founding companies of the organic movement. ALL of our products are certified organic. Organic is all we've ever done and all we'll ever do.
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- We have been farming organically for 15 years.
- Our founders worked with other industry leaders to develop the USDA Organic Seal.
- We only operate farms and work with farmer partners who are certified organic and compliant with the standards.
- Over 80% of our milk comes from nearly 450 family farms with almost 100 in transition.
- Our family farms range in size and are located throughout the country.
- Did you know? Our smallest farm, in Vermont, has 12 cows!
 The Horizon Organic Producer Education (HOPE) program, founded in 2001, encourages family farmers to convert to organic production and supports them in this process. Including:
Financial support during third year of transition (high organic feed costs while milk is sold at conventional prices).
Education and greater awareness of organic agriculture.
Hands-on training and guidance through transition and certification.
Our Advisory Team of dairy animal and land conservation experts are working to improve and develop best practices.
HOPE will provide $15-20 million in financial assistance for family farmers over the next 5 years.
Over 80% of our milk supply comes from family farmers across the United States. The remaining 20% of our milk supply comes from our two company owned farms.
Kennedyville, Maryland – This farm was certified organic in 1998.
Paul, Idaho – This farm was certified organic in 1994.
Our Idaho Farm
Is considered revolutionary. In 1994, it proved that treating cows holistically – using alternative and homeopathic remedies without the use of antibiotics or added growth hormones – was achievable on a large scale.
The farm's location on the Snake River Aquifer furthers our commitment to preserving and protecting our environment.
30,000 conventional acres in Idaho have been converted to organic to support our farm.
Two million pounds of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizer annually are kept off the land and out of the Snake River due to our farm.
We utilize best in class organic composting practices – capturing all waste from our farm for compost to fertilize and grow our crops.
We are investing to build a new, state-of-the-art dairy facility which will allow our animals to spend more time on pastures.
We are implementing managed grazing systems intended to regenerate the land, restore biodiversity and improve the quality of the water and mineral cycles.
Our Maryland Farm
Is located on the sensitive Chesapeake Bay waterway.
Inspired neighbors to convert their farms to organic, improving the environmental quality of the Chesapeake Bay.
At both of our farms, our animals are never confined. They are free to move about and exhibit their natural behaviors.
We believe organic is about a dedicated method of food production, and that there's room in the organic movement for farms of all sizes. By standing together and growing the industry responsibly, we can bring the benefits of organic to more people and help change the world one organic acre at a time.
At Horizon Organic, we work with farms across the country. Some of these farms milk just a dozen cows by hand, while others manage much larger herds of cows with the use of the latest technology. Despite these differences, we all share the same passion for compassionate animal management – it's a fundamental principle of organic dairy.
None of our animals are given antibiotics or added growth hormones. Rather, we keep them healthy the organic way by providing fresh air, nutritional organic pastures for grazing, a wholesome diet, and clean, comfortable living conditions. In return, the cows produce delicious, organic milk, which is the foundation for our great-tasting organic dairy products.
Our cows are cared for with living conditions that naturally support animal health. Listed below are essential elements of successful organic livestock management practiced on our farms and those of our farmer partners.
Provide balanced nutrition. Per the National Organic Program regulations, our animals are fed only certified organic pasture and vegetarian feed. We use special crop rotation techniques to ensure that our cows receive a rich diversity of nutrients.
Reduce exposure to toxins. By providing certified organic pasture and vegetarian feed, we reduce our cows' exposure to toxins such as pesticide residues, which are considered a source of stress to animal health.
Exclude performance enhancers. Organic production prohibits the use of antibiotics and added growth hormones, allowing cows to grow and give milk as nature intended.
Provide healthy and natural living conditions. We provide all of our cows with nutritional, organic pastures for grazing, protection from severe weather and safe and sanitary conditions in which to live.
Treat using natural and homeopathic remedies. We do not give our cows antibiotics. When one of our cows becomes ill, she is treated using natural and homeopathic remedies. If her health does not improve, she may be treated with conventional antibiotics, at which point she is permanently removed from the organic milking herd. We never withhold medical treatment from a sick animal in an effort to preserve her organic status.
Organic Farming Research Foundation
Horizon Organic is proud to support The Organic Farming Research Foundation, a non-profit foundation whose mission is to sponsor research related to organic farming practices, to disseminate research results to organic farmers and to growers interested in adopting organic production systems, and to educate the public and decision-makers about organic farming issues.
Learn more about OFRF >
The Organic Center
We support The Organic Center in its mission to generate credible, peer-reviewed scientific information and to communicate the verifiable benefits of organic farming and products to society.
Learn more about The Organic Center >
Horizon Organic and Holistic Management
Founded by Allan Savory in 1984, Holistic Management International (HMI), works around the world helping to increase land health and productivity, restore livelihoods and reduce food insecurity.
Horizon Organic is working with HMI to develop a whole farm/whole system approach to resource management at our farms, including developing a holistic grazing plan, land-planning and biological monitoring.
Learn more about Holistic Management International >
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