Animal Welfare Approved Now Accepting Grant Applications to Fund Animal Welfare Improvement...

Animal Welfare Approved Now Accepting Grant Applications to Fund Animal
Welfare Improvement on Family Farms

WASHINGTON, June 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Animal Welfare Institute
President Cathy Liss and Animal Welfare Approved Program Director Andrew
Gunther are pleased to announce the 2009 Animal Welfare Approved grant cycle.
Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded for the purpose of improving farm
animal welfare, with a concentration on three areas: increased outdoor access,
improved genetics and improved slaughter facilities. Current Animal Welfare
Approved farmers and those who have applied to join the program are eligible.
The deadline for applying is October 1, 2009.

The Animal Welfare Approved program audits and certifies family farms whose
farmers raise their animals with the highest welfare standards, on pasture or
range. "We are pleased to be able to offer this program again, especially in
today's economic climate," says Gunther. "Our farmers are seeing the payoff
for their efforts. The grants allow them to continue to focus on providing
the best care possible for their animals while meeting the challenges of
running a business. It's win-win."

"I feel that the grants program is really useful to address challenges faced
by independent livestock producers," says Jude Becker of Becker Lane Organics,
an Animal Welfare Approved farm in Dyersville, Iowa. Becker used his grant to
improve the availability of nutrients in his feeding system for sows in
gestation. Donny and Alease Williams of D & A Farm in Autryville, N.C. used
their grant to purchase improved outdoor shelter for their piglets. Fruitland
American Meat LLC, a family-run slaughterhouse in Jackson, Mo., was awarded a
grant to upgrade its facility.

Farmers may submit a proposal for one project, for a total maximum grant of
$5,000. Grants will be awarded based on the project's potential to deliver the
greatest benefit to farm animals. In order to receive a grant, applicants must
meet the eligibility requirements and submit an application and a budget by
October 1, 2009. Grants applications must be postmarked by the deadline date
and will not be accepted via e-mail.

Animal Welfare Approved is the one independent food label that means healthy,
safe, environmentally responsible and humanely raised. The program certifies
family farmers who raise their animals with high welfare.

Guidelines and an application form are available at
www.AnimalWelfareApproved.org or by contacting Emily Lancaster at (919)
428-1641.

SOURCE Animal Welfare Approved

Amy Rutledge of Animal Welfare Approved, +1-202-446-2138,
amy@animalwelfareapproved.org