Harmony Acres Ministry:

Standards, Guidelines & Milk Validation

Basic Standards

We have zero-tolerance for any deviation from the following standards:

100% Grass-fed

100% of the diet of our grass-fed animals consists of freshly grazed pasture and stored grasses (hay or grass bailage) and free-choice minerals are also part of the diet for the health of the livestock.

Organic

The majority of food available through our Ministry is 100% organic (though not certified) with the exception of a few items. Some seasonal fruits that we offer are at times IPM (Integrated Pest Management) and will always be listed as such in an effort to explain the methodologies behind cultivation. Some ingredients in items such as baked goods and other produced items are not always necessarily 100% organic. We will do all possible to label whenever any ingredients are not organic. Our chicken feed is GMO free and mostly organic with the exception of a few ingredients. These ingredients are tested for glyphosate and reveal undetectable levels. Without exception all other animals, including the land on which they are raised, and products derived from them, never come into contact with any synthetic or man-produced chemicals, including but not limited to pesticides, herbicides or fungicides of any kind. If you have specific questions or are ever unsure about the organic status of an item or ingredient, please reach out to us and we will address your concerns.

GMO Free

Raised Naturally without the use of GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms)

Soy Free

Raised Naturally without Soy

100% Raw Dairy (A2)

All of our dairy is unheated and A2 unless otherwise specified.

No Hormones or Antibiotics

Never administered growth hormones for faster growth or given antibiotics.

Wild-Caught

Wild-caught sustainably and flash frozen.

(How do we maintain these Standards?)

Through regular communication, and via deliberate yet random monthly visits to the other farms we source from.

Farmer Operation Guidelines:

We implement general good practice guidelines for what is expected from farmers growing and/or cultivating food for Harmony Acres Ministry.

The guidelines below are given to farmers, growers or whosoever is providing food to the Ministry. These guidelines are also printed in checklist format to be used by the trustees when making regular visits to the farms and other producers.

General farm operations

·        Are the animals well contented and do they have plenty to eat?

·        Do free choice mineral boxes stay filled up?

·        Do they manage the grass well and have a good grazing plan in place?

·        Are the egg-laying hens moved once a day across the pasture?

 General farm appearance

·        Is it clean, orderly and free from trash?

·        Are driveways clean from manure and mud?

·        What general repairs are required? - paint, windows, boards, siding, etc. in good repair

 Cleanliness of the barn

·        Clean cows - clipped udders

·        Stalls cleaned and bedded

·        Gutters - not overflowing onto walkway

·        Scraped and limed cow walkways

·        Clean feed alleys

·        Cobweb and dust free walls and ceilings

·        Calves, horses and swine in their proper pens

·        Good and consistent fly control

·        All containers with milk or other food products must have lids or covers

Cleanliness of the food processing areas

·        Floors - good repair and clean

·        Walls and ceiling - clean, no loose paint, good repair

·        Doors and windows - self-closing, screen in place in warm weather, broken windows repaired and effective at keeping flies, rodents, dogs and cats from entering

·        Not to be used as storage area

·        Buckets and other utensils off the floor

·        Proper hand washing - water, soap and towels

Equipment and sanitation

·        Proper chemical-free sanitization being used

·        Source hot water for general washing to be 145" F or higher at faucet

·        Clean equipment

·        Maintain rubber parts and milk hoses regularly

·        Use only food-grade plastic or rubber

·        Equipment free from milk stone

·        Pulsators and vacuum lines clean

·        Pipeline wash water temperature at end of final wash to be 120" F or higher

·        Proper cleaning and prep of dairy animals prior to milking

Processing, handling, and cooling

·        Milk temperature to be 38' F or less

·        Thermometer(s) in working order

·        Stainless steel bottling equipment

·        Bottling done in a sanitary manner (product is not to come in contact with outside filling tubes/equipment)

·        Clean storage area

·        Wash, acid rinse, and sanitize chums, ice cream freezers, separators, etc.

·        Clean and tidy refrigerator storage

Milk Validation Protocols:

All of the farmers who supply dairy to our Ministry (whether from cows, goats, sheep or any other animal) have agreed to test samples of their milk on a monthly basis. These samples are attained by an independent field agent employed by a well-known third-party micro-lab of our choice. These samples are then transported by the agent to the lab for testing. Tests results are sent to us and made available to members upon request.

The Ministry monitors for:

SPC (PAC-Standard Plate Count) – Detects bacteria within a countable and representative range.

PCC/Coliform – Detects coliform within a countable and representative range.

ESSCC – Somatic Cell Count testing of the milk provides indicators.

Components testing – Tests for Butterfat, Lactose, Protein and other solids.

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

- 2 Corinthians 7:1