The National Organic Program requires that producers establish and maintain livestock living conditions, which accommodate the health and natural behavior of animals, including: (1) Access to the outdoors, shade, shelter, exercise areas, fresh air, and direct sunlight suitable to the species, its stage of production, the climate, and the environment; (2) Access to pasture for ruminants; (3) Appropriate clean, dry bedding (if the bedding is typically consumed by the animal species, it must be organic); and (4) Shelter designed to allow for: (i) Natural maintenance, comfort behaviors, and opportunity to exercise; (ii) Temperature level, ventilation, and air circulation suitable to the species; and (iii) Reduction of potential for livestock injury. You can find good information on livestock housing in some Rodale publications at: www.rodaleinstitute.org or by visiting www.attra.ncat.org.

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