Ohio Egg Farmers
Ohio's egg farmers are committed to providing safe, affordable and nutritious foods, while providing excellent care of their animals and preserving the land, air and water on and around their farms.
Ohio Egg Farmers’ Commitments
Committed to Animal Care
Ohio egg farmers make animal care a top priority by providing:
- Comfortable barns for hens to live in to protect them from extreme weather, disease, predators and other outside biohazards;
- Continuous supply of fresh food and water; and
- Consultations with veterinarians and use of medications, when appropriate, to keep flocks healthy and our food supply safe.
Committed to Disease Prevention & Biosecurity
Biosecurity is an issue that is taken seriously by Ohio's egg farmers. The health and well-being of flocks, farmers and farm workers is of critical concern. Further, maintaining disease-free, biosecure barns is an important step in providing safe, high-quality food for consumers. Ohio egg farmers employ strict on-farm measures to prevent disease, including:
- Increasing monitoring of flocks by poultry veterinarians;
- Restricting access to barns to essential personnel only;
- Prohibiting employees from keeping or handling birds off-premises;
- Prohibiting employees from visiting multiple poultry barns on a given day; and
- Increasing the use of protective gear, including biosecurity suits and shoe covers.
Committed to Protecting the Environment
Taking care of the environment has long been recognized as a critical component of farming. Ohio egg farmers live where they work, so that's a big part of why they take environmental concerns so seriously. They also operate their farms under a number of voluntary and required environmental management standards, many of which are set forth by a number of state and national regulatory agencies. Ohio egg farmers also follow best management practices for preserving the land, air and water. Protecting rivers and streams, managing the land and soil, and keeping the air clean is all part of responsible farm management.
Committed to Giving Back to the Community
Ohio's egg farmers are active members of their local communities and volunteer their time to church and civic groups, schools and political activities. In addition to the many food contributions made by individual farmers in their local communities, Ohio's egg farmers participate in the Ohio Agricultural Clearance Program, a statewide program to direct Ohio agricultural products to low-income families via the network of Ohio's Second Harvest Foodbanks. Since 2005, more than 3 million eggs have been provided to 12 Feeding America regional foodbanks throughout Ohio.
How Ohio Egg Farmers Make a Difference
Discover how Ohio egg farmers work together with Ohio soybean farmers to reduce their environmental footprint and make a difference in their local communities.
Farm to Table
Ohio's egg farming families are proud to work year-round to produce nutritious, affordable eggs and egg products for families across the nation. There are numerous steps egg farmers take to ensure your eggs are fresh and of the highest quality. Watch below to see how eggs travel from an Ohio egg farm to your table!
It All Starts With Ensuring Excellent Hen Care
Thomas makes sure that hens have 24/7 access to fresh food and water and are monitored for their health. On Ohio egg farms, animal care teams are specially trained to look for signs of animal well-being because they know that high-quality eggs start with healthy hens.
Maintaining a Clean, Safe Environment Is a Top Priority
Barn maintenance workers, like Luis, ensure that barns are kept clean and are well-ventilated so that hens have fresh air and a clean, safe environment to live within.
After Eggs Are Collected, They Move to Processing
Zach receives the eggs as they're brought from hen houses on conveyor belts. In processing, eggs are thoroughly washed and then sorted based on their weight.
Eggs Are Graded for Quality
Egg graders, like Elvira, use a process called "candling" to check the internal and external quality of eggs. Some farms have egg graders from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on-staff, which will determine if eggs are "USDA certified". This step assures that eggs are of the highest quality before being packed into cartons.
Eggs Are Transported From the Farm to the Grocery Store
After eggs have been packed into cartons and then into boxes, they are loaded onto refrigerated trucks. Then, truck drivers, like Rick, transport the eggs safely from the farm to grocery stores and restaurants.
Grocery Store Shelves Are Stocked With Eggs for Consumers to Purchase
At grocery stores, sales associates, like Katey, display the eggs in refrigerators where customers can consider which eggs to purchase. On average, it only takes 48-72 hours for an egg to reach the grocery store after it has been laid in the hen house!
Consumers Can Enjoy High-Quality Eggs
Alex, who is a husband, father and Ohio egg farmer, knows that eggs are an affordable, nutrient-rich option for any meal and are safe to feed his family.