“The first advantage I see is the opportunity the records give us to collect production data. This information allows us to make better decisions for our business. Also, certification helps us apply bio-food security criteria that we wouldn’t otherwise think of. This is especially true when it comes to drugs and feed. It helps us manage contamination risk and minimizes our margin of error. When you have employees, it is really important for everyone to know where they’re headed and for everyone to work in the same way. I think that’s just as important for producers who don’t have employees; certification is there to give us possible solutions, whether or not we have employees.”