Contact: Michele Wells, Humane Farm Animal Care (303) 417-0696

Certified Humane® Label Awarded to Hope Acres

Herndon, Va., December 12, 2007 - The Certified Humane label was awarded by the nonprofit Humane Farm Animal Care to Hope Acres, a Pennsylvania Jersey cow dairy that produces ice cream, cheese and other dairy products.

The Certified Humane Raised and Handled label assures consumers that a meat, poultry, egg or dairy product has been produced according to Humane Farm Animal Care’s (HFAC) precise standards for humane farm animal treatment. Animals must receive a nutritious diet without antibiotics or hormones and must be raised with shelter, resting areas and space sufficient to support natural behavior. Since HFAC’s program was unveiled in May 2003, more than 60 companies have been certified.

Located in south central Pennsylvania, the 2,100-acre Hope Acres farm has been operated by the Heindel family of Brogue, Pa., since 1988. Hope Acres manages its dairy herd naturally, without the use of hormones, and uses state-of-the-art European robotic technologies to ensure the health and well-being of its cows.

The company's Brown Cow ice creams, milk and other specialty dairy products are sold at its Brown Cow Country Market and through a number of local retail outlets. For more information, visit www.hopeacres.com.

HFAC’s Animal Care Standards were developed by a veritable “Who’s Who” of national and international animal scientists and farm-animal welfare experts. Producer compliance with the HFAC standards is verified through annual on-site visits by HFAC’s third-party inspectors.

HFAC is a national nonprofit organization supported by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), regional and local animal protection organizations, foundations and individuals. More information is available at HFAC’s website, www.certifiedhumane.org