WESTMINSTER, COLO. – Niman Ranch, a subsidiary of Perdue Farms, presented a new report that will feature environmental sustainability, humane animal care, farmer support and community impact.

“The new impact report clearly illustrates how unique Niman Ranch is in the meat sector,” said Chris Oliviero, general manager of Niman Ranch. “Our founding farmers and ranchers broke the mold when creating this company, aiming to build a new business model that worked for the producers, animals, environment and rural communities. I’m incredibly proud of all that we’ve achieved over the years and the path we have charted for the future.”

The company’s report features an independent analysis of Niman Ranch’s farming practices by the Sustainable Food Lab. The organization explained how it worked with Niman Ranch farms to implement regenerative practices that build healthy soil, support biodiversity, sequester carbon and reduce runoff. 

“What we found is a farmer network that already leads in many aspects of regenerative agriculture,” said Elizabeth Reaves, senior program director at the Sustainable Food Lab. “One key difference that stood out in our conversations was the premium pay and stability the program provides farmers, creating a different risk management strategy. Without financial sustainability, it is unlikely that farmers will experiment with new sustainable practices.”

Also in the report, Niman Ranch shared new analysis of the company’s economic impact on the community. Data from Iowa State University economist Dave Swenson showed Niman’s contributions to the Iowa economy in jobs and labor income. 

The company produced over 150% more jobs across the state than its conventional counterparts and generated more than 50% more economic value for the local economy per 100,000 hogs according to Swenson. 

Niman added that its impact report also showcased many of the leaders in Niman Ranch’s past and present, including Marilyn Noble, Phyllis Willis, Temple Grandin, PhD, Dave Serfling, Dawn Sherman and Diane and Marlene Halverson.

Niman Ranch explained some of the new partnerships and initiatives to support sustainable and equitable food systems. The report detailed some of the company’s stances on California’s Proposition 12 and the development of programs that support opportunities for BIPOC farmers and culinary leaders.

“When Paul Willis first started the pork program, he didn’t set out to check boxes on some set of protocols that somebody else had come up with. He wrote his own playbook and then made it available for others to follow,” Oliveiro said. “Having the willingness to do that is why the Niman model has excelled, and it will inform our course well into the future.”

The entire impact report can be found here.