First Nature Farms Goodfare, Alberta Share:

SPCA Certified beef, pork and chicken since 2006. SPCA Certified turkey since 2010.

SPCA Certified is an innovative farm certification and food-labelling program dedicated to improving farm animal welfare standards in Canada.

About First Nature Farms

Home to Jerry Kitt and family, First Nature Farms is located just 4 miles from the Alberta-B.C. border in Alberta's picturesque Peace Country. The farm's name is intended to be read as "first, nature farms" – a name that perfectly describes the philosophies practiced on the land. "Our farm is operated as an ecological reserve with the goal to protect and enhance our natural biodiversity," says Jerry.

Jerry and his family have always believed in natural ways of farming, and providing low stress environments for their animals. They are constantly kept busy on this diverse operation that includes grass finished cattle, free range chicken and turkey as well as modern and heritage breeds of pigs raised in what Jerry calls a "gentle environment from farrow to finish." Furthermore, their 3300 acre farm is home to dozens of wild animals, including the rare trumpeter swan, mountain bluebirds, wolves and beavers. "We live in an area which is gifted with an abundance of nature," says Jerry, "Our family and our livestock are naturally healthy."

First Nature Farms has been in existance since 1980. The farm has been certified organic since 1990 and became SPCA Certified for beef, chicken and pigs in 2006. In 2010, First Nature Farms also became SPCA Certified for turkeys.

Of all the farm animals he raises, Jerry greatly enjoys the pigs. "If given the opportunity to behave naturally, pigs reveal themselves as smart, social animals." For Jerry, the notion that pigs are much smarter than they are given credit for became apparent after one of his sows built her own shelter – the 700 pound sow spent hours uprooting trees and gathering twigs, branches and grass into a pile, then tunneled her way down the middle to create a giant, custom-fit pig pergola where she promptly reclined after a long day's labour. "She did all that with just her snout and her feet!" Kitt marvels. "It was really impressive."

Meet Jerry Kitt and see First Nature Farms

Look for their SPCA Certified beef, chicken, turkey and pork at Edmonton's Old Strathcona Farmers Markets (Saturdays; year-round). First Nature Pork can also be found at Famous Foods, Choices, Sebastian's and Queensdale (Vancouver).

For a full list of retailers selling First Nature Farms' products in B.C. and Alberta, please visit the SPCA Certified retail page.

Farmers' Markets

First Nature Farms' products are sold at Edmonton's Old Strathcona Farmers' Market, every Saturday 8am to 3pm: year round.

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