Glossary · Certification

Pasture-Raised

A claim that animals had significant access to outdoor pasture for a meaningful portion of their lives; loosely regulated in the U.S.

"Pasture-raised" suggests animals spent time on pasture rather than in confinement. The term isn't consistently regulated — USDA has no standardized definition for pasture-raised across species — so the claim means different things depending on who's using it.

For eggs: often paired with a square-footage guarantee (e.g. Certified Humane Pasture-Raised requires 108 sq ft per bird). For meat (beef, pork, poultry): typically means time outdoors on grass with shelter access, but specifics vary. For dairy: usually paired with grass-fed claims.

When it matters, third-party certifications (Animal Welfare Approved, Certified Humane) offer more defined standards than the raw term.

Related Terms

Grass-Fed

A claim that ruminant animals (usually cattle) were fed grass and forage rather than grain; can be partial ("grass-fed, grain-finished") or total ("100% grass-fed").

USDA Organic

A federal certification standard that farms can earn after a transition period and annual audit; regulates use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, GMOs, and certain other inputs.

Heritage Breed

A traditional livestock breed — typically raised for flavor, hardiness, or cultural significance — rather than the commodity breeds dominant in industrial agriculture.

Further Reading

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