Where does Horizon Organic® milk come from? It comes from over 450 family farms from Maine to California, as well as two farms owned by Horizon Organic. Meet our Farmers. Above all, it comes from farmers who value organic principles, cherish their livestock and honor the land they live on.

Organic farming practices do not allow use of antibiotics, added growth hormones or dangerous pesticides.

The cornerstone of our cow care program is prevention. We approach herd health holistically—meaning our farms and those of our family farmer partners are managed for animal comfort and well-being.

When a cow does become ill, we use only natural and homeopathic remedies as treatment. However, if her health does not improve, according to the National Organic Program, organic farmers must not withhold medical treatment from a sick animal in an effort to preserve her organic status, therefore she may be treated with conventional medications and treatments. If her condition should worsen to the extent that she needs a non-organically-approved treatment or antibiotic, she is treated and brought back to health. At that point however, she is permanently removed from the organic milking herd.

Growth hormones naturally occur in milk, however unlike some non-organic dairy cows, organic cows are never given added growth hormones to increase milk production.

For land to be certified organic, farmers are not allowed to use harmful chemicals that can pollute the air, water and food. Instead, they use sustainable farming techniques like crop rotation and composting to improve soil fertility, and use non-toxic materials to control pests. In fact, prior to certification, land must be free from applications of synthetic fertilizers, dangerous pesticides and other toxic and persistent chemicals for at least three years.

At Horizon Organic, we proudly support family farmers. When you purchase Horizon Organic products, you not only get great-tasting, good-for-you food, you also help support organic agriculture. To produce certified organic products, we work with over 450 family farms—and this number is growing every day. In fact, our total milk and feed supply purchases help keep hundreds of thousands of acres of land maintained under sustainable farming practices.

The certified organic family farms that produce milk for us are extremely diverse. We work with farmer partners across the country on farms of all shapes and sizes. Some of the farmer partners milk by hand; others use modernized computer systems. Despite the differences, the thread that weaves us all together is our shared passion for organic.

One of our top priorities is the respectful treatment of animals. The cows that supply Horizon Organic® with milk are not treated with antibiotics or added growth hormones and are fed only certified organic feed. They also have access to clean water, fresh air, pasture and exercise.