Vital Farms’ Egg Central Station first business to achieve certification through City’s Yard Ethic program.

In recognition of an “egg-cellent” job implementing environmentally friendly practices into their egg washing and packing facility, Egg Central Station, Springfield’s Vital Farms recently achieved gold level certification through the City’s Yard Ethic program, the program’s first commercial awardee.

Administered by Springfield Environmental Services’ Water Quality Management and Protection division, Yard Ethic is a free certification program to encourage and reward environmentally friendly yard care. The program encourages the implementation of practices that beautify yards, conserve water, reduce stormwater pollution create habitat, and save money. The program began with a residential certification program in 2018 and launched a commercial branch in 2024. 

“In many ways, Vital Farms’ Egg Central Station, resembles one of the many farms where eggs are produced by their ‘girls,’” explains Yard Ethic Program Facilitator Sarah Wilkerson. “When you enter the property, you are greeted by tall prairie grass, blooming wildflowers, and buzzing pollinators. Vital Farms is an impressive example of Yard Ethic practices and how they can improve local businesses and the community.”

To achieve gold level Yard Ethic certification, Vital Farms demonstrates nine environmentally friendly practices into their property and business operations. These included providing approximately 35% tree canopy coverage of the property, establishing native prairie on approximately 60% of the facility’s managed green space, conducting a soil test of the property, providing an outdoor employee break space with multiple connections to nature, and reducing waste as a “zero-waste-to-landfill” facility among other practices. 

What’s so special about the Yard Ethic Program is the opportunity to spotlight and celebrate all the great things we’ve done to make Egg Central Station a more sustainable facility. Water conservation and protecting our watershed are such a big part of Yard Ethic and were among our top priorities when designing ECS,” said Paden Grant, Health, Safety & Environmental Manager at Vital Farms’ Egg Central Station. “Small changes can also have a big impact by shifting your mindset. For example, embracing native grasses and natural habitats instead of striving for golf course green lawns, can improve your soil health and encourage pollinators, not to mention your water bill!”

To learn more about the Yard Ethic program and apply for residential or commercial certification, visit YardEthic.com. 

About the Yard Ethic Program

Residents and commercial businesses can join the Yard Ethic community by visiting YardEthic.com and completing a number of practices to become certified as Silver or Gold through the program. Those who complete certification can show off their commitment to the environment and spread the word about the program by displaying a free Yard Ethic sign. 

Checklist items include such practices as soil testing, planting native plants, installing a rain garden, planting a tree, composting organic waste or installing a rain barrel. Various rebates and assistance opportunities are available to help make many of these practices easier and more cost-effective.