American Grassfed Association (AGA) Certification
By American Grassfed Association
Last reviewed: December 2025
Complete guide to American Grassfed Association dairy certification including standards, costs, and requirements. Learn about AGA's 100% grass-fed...
The American Grassfed Association (AGA) established certification standards in 2009, initially for ruminant meat, then expanded to include dairy-specific standards in 2017-2018. AGA certification is independent of USDA organic—operations can be AGA-certified whether conventional or organic.
AGA standards are among the most rigorous for grass-fed claims. Animals must be fed 100% forage diet (grass, forbs, legumes) from birth to harvest. Continuous pasture access is required during the growing season. No antibiotics, growth hormones, or animal by-products are permitted. Animals must be born and raised in the United States—no imports.
The certification process requires AGA membership before inspection. On-farm inspections occur at least every 15 months, conducted by inspectors who have completed International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) courses for dairy operations. The AGA Certification Committee reviews inspection reports and issues certification. Licensed operations can use the AGA seal on packaging and marketing.
AGA's focus on grass-fed (rather than organic) makes it complementary to or independent from USDA organic certification. Some operations pursue both AGA and organic; others choose AGA alone. The distinctive positioning appeals to consumers seeking pasture-raised dairy regardless of organic status.
Key Features
- 100% Forage Diet Standard: Animals fed only grass, forbs, and legumes from birth. No grain, grain by-products, or concentrates ever. Clear, unambiguous forage-only requirement.
- Continuous Pasture Access: Required access to open pasture during growing season. No confinement feeding. Animals raised on grass pastures as nature intended.
- No Antibiotics or Hormones: Complete prohibition on antibiotics and growth hormones. If treated, animals cannot be sold under AGA certification. No withdrawal periods.
- U.S. Born and Raised: Animals must be born and raised in the United States. No imports. Supports domestic grass-fed production.
- Third-Party Inspection: Minimum every 15 months by IOIA-trained inspectors. Independent verification of all standards. Annual certification review.
- AGA Seal & Marketing: Licensed use of AGA Grassfed seal. Consumer-recognized certification mark. Marketing materials and directory listing.
Advanced Features
- Dairy-Specific Standards: 2017/2018 standards address dairy-unique requirements. Lactation management, calf nutrition, seasonal production considerations.
- IOIA-Trained Dairy Inspectors: Inspectors must complete International Organic Inspectors Association dairy course. Expertise in dairy-specific compliance.
- Certification Committee Review: All inspections reviewed by committee before certification. Ensures consistent standards application.
- Annual Licensing Agreement: Licensed producers maintain seal rights. Ongoing compliance required. Clear terms for label use.
- Producer Directory: AGA website listing of certified producers. Consumer-facing marketing exposure. Direct connection to grass-fed consumers.
- Standards Updates: Living standards responsive to industry developments. Producer input on standards evolution.
Ideal For
Farm Types: 100% grass-fed dairy, Pasture-based operations, Grazing dairies, Conventional grass-fed, Organic grass-fed
Competitive Advantages
What sets American Grassfed Association (AGA) Certification apart from alternatives:
- 100% grass-fed standard with no grain ever
- Independent of organic—works for conventional or organic
- U.S. born and raised requirement supports domestic production
- IOIA-trained inspectors ensure dairy expertise
- Consumer-recognized AGA seal
- Complementary to organic certification if desired
- Clear, rigorous standards consumers trust
- Producer directory for marketing exposure
- Growing grass-fed dairy market demand
- Third-party verification adds credibility
Pricing Information
Here is the pricing information for American Grassfed Association (AGA) Certification:
AGA requires membership before certification. Annual certification fee $100. One-time licensing fee $150. Per-head fees for animals: $1.50 for large ruminants or per-head-milked for dairy.
Pricing Model: Membership + certification fees + per-head fees
Total annual cost typically $500-2,000 depending on herd size and location. No cost-share programs (AGA is not USDA organic).
Pros & Considerations
- Distinct grass-fed certification standard
- Premium positioning for grass-fed products
- Consumer recognition growing
- Supports grass-based production systems
- Independent verification
- Certification costs and audits
- Standards may be strict for some operations
- Market demand varies by region
- Requires documented grass-fed practices
Implementation & Setup
How to implement American Grassfed Association (AGA) Certification on your dairy operation:
Implementation Timeline: Membership required first. Inspection scheduling 30-60 days. Certification after committee review: 30-60 days. Total: 2-4 months from application.
Training & Support
Training and support options available for American Grassfed Association (AGA) Certification:
Evaluation Questions
Key questions to consider when evaluating American Grassfed Association (AGA) Certification:
- Do I currently feed 100% forage diet with no grain ever?
- Can I document continuous pasture access?
- Are all my animals U.S.-born and raised?
- Would AGA certification complement or replace organic?
- Is there market demand for AGA grass-fed in my area?