Sheila Taylor, Jim Rousseau, Mike Sencer, Brad Mitchell, Bob Beauregard, Henry Gillet, US Congressman Jim McGovern, State Senator Anne Gobi, Dan Galante, Raeanne Siegel, and State Representative Don Berthiaume

The Country Hens Open Their Nests To VIP Guests…..

The Country Hen, home of the Original, Organic Omega-3 Egg, was honored to host US Congressman McGovern, MA Sen. Gobi, MA Rep. Berthiaume, and other VIP guests on August 2, 2016.

Bob Beauregard, General Manager, and Jim Rousseau, Sales Manager, provided guests with a tour of the farm and sites of: The Country Hen’s expansion project and the renewable energy solar project. The expansion project, upon completion, will provide 3 new state-of-the art barns that will ultimately increase The Country Hen’s production in Hubbardston by 75%. When completed. The solar project will provide 100% of the energy needed for the main farm including all the barns, processing room, and feed mill.

The National Organic Program’s (NOP) proposed rule affecting changes to Animal Welfare in the organic system was discussed. In 2002, The Country Hen received organic certification utilizing a porch design for outdoor access. Over the past 14 years, organic egg producers have steadily increased their production with this design. During the tour of the porches, guests were given a detailed explanation of the benefits of the porch system. This included the ability to meet FDA egg safety requirements, practical manure management, disease prevention, and the reduction of exposure to predators and parasites.

Lastly, there was a discussion of November’s MA ballot question, The Farm Animal Containment Initiative. This would require that all eggs produced and sold in Massachusetts be from cage free production, which is the practice that The Country Hen has implemented since its’ inception.

For All of Us at The Country Hen, Kathy Moran