SGS Audit Letter

To the Stakeholders of Threemile Canyon Farms:

As detailed in this Report, Threemile Canyon Farms (TCF) has embarked on an ambitious project to develop and implement a corporate social responsibility (CSR) program covering its agricultural and dairy operations. TCF has created a CSR Framework that it will use to measure its performance across a number of key sustainability areas, including the workplace, natural resources, animal welfare, and community stewardship.

In order to assess its current CSR performance, TCF engaged SGS SSC to conduct an audit of its performance by measuring it against indicators contained in the CSR Framework. The intent was not to provide a certification of TCF's farm practices, but rather to create a baseline of quantitative data and qualitative information that will be used by TCF's management to improve its impacts on sustainability both now and going forward. As part of this process, SGS SSC worked closely with Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) to create an audit tool based on the indicators contained in the CSR Framework.

The audit took place December 5-8, 2005, and was conducted by two auditors with significant experience at the farm level. Our approach included interviews with key executives and workers from the agricultural and dairy sides of the farm, and reviews of both paper and on-line documents covering TCF's policies and programs and the outcomes of its operations. We provided a written report to TCF that included extensive comments acknowledging sustainable practices and programs in the key CSR performance areas and recommendations on what steps should be taken to enhance its management systems and operations.

This Report includes data and information reviewed by SGS SSC during the audit, but TCF's management is solely responsible for its preparation and presentation and the choice of which data and information to include.

Managing Director
SGS SSC
North American Headquarters
Rutherford, New Jersey
January 26, 2006

Our vision

We work hard to constantly improve our innovative model for sustainable agriculture and ethical business practices. The healthy, high-quality food products we bring to market will create growth opportunities for our business partners and employees, while earning the trust of our customers and neighbors.

Our core values

• Build trusted customer relationships based on commitment to quality and long-term market outlook.
• Sell high-quality, value-added products - not commodities.
• Create partnerships based on shared values and complementary skills.
• Squeeze out waste, costs and uncertainties through vertical integration.
• Be an equal opportunity employer, pay family wages and benefits, create a safe and healthy workplace.
• Treat people, the land and animals with respect.
• Share what we learn.

75906 Threemile Road
Boardman, OR 97818
Telephone: 541-481-9274

PDF version of Corporate Social Resposibility Report

2005 CSR Report (pdf 2.5 MB)

Threemile Road Boardman, OR 97818 • 541-481-9274 • mail@threemilecanyonfarms.com