2024 Versova Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report by versova

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

We are proud to present the third annual sustainability report for the family of individual companies managed by Versova Management Company and combined in this report under one Versova banner. Together, as one of the largest egg producers in the country, we recognize our responsibility and are dedicated to leaving a sustainable legacy for future generations.

Aggregated data from the Versova-managed family of companies is shared for sustainability reporting purposes only and includes results from the following farms:

Iowa Cage-free

Croton, OH

Marseilles, OH

Larue, OH

Corwith, IA

Galt, IA

Dows, IA

Sioux Center, IA

Thompson, IA

Croton, OH

Marseilles, OH

Larue, OH

Lake, WA

Goldﬁeld, IA

Corwith, IA

Galt, IA

Dows, IA

Platteville, CO

Franklin, ID

Sioux Center, IA

Thompson, IA

Croton, OH

Marseilles, OH

Larue, OH

Moses Lake, WA

Canby, OR

Goldﬁeld, IA

Corwith, IA

Galt, IA

Dows, IA

Platteville, CO

North Salt Lake, UT

Pasco, WA

Franklin, ID

Lewiston, UT

OUR SUSTAINABILITY COMMITMENT

Our robust values shape what we do each day, and our guiding principles focused on quality, compliance and continuous improvement are at the core of the sustainability culture we are building within our team and our operations. We know these commitments are important not only for our business, but for the customers who rely on us to provide a safe and reliable egg supply, and for the families who enjoy eggs on their tables each day.

THE CONTINUED IMPACT OF HPAI IN 2024

The current outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced before. Since 2022, HPAI has had a devastating impact on egg farms across the country, including detections on several Versova-managed farms in 2024. The unpredictable and sustained nature of the outbreak has required ongoing vigilance, rapid response and a commitment to biosecurity measures to protect our flocks, employees and production capabilities.

Each farm detection creates immediate and long-term negative effects, from the emotional and operational strain on our employees to the disruption of egg supply and farm productivity. Our teams have worked tirelessly to mitigate these impacts by strengthening protocols, investing in biosecurity enhancements and supporting those directly affected. Even with the ongoing threat of HPAI, Versova’s commitment to sustainability remains unwavering as we continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our animals, employees, and communities.

Versova-managed farms have access to shared resources to leverage greater efficiency when recovering after HPAI. Our teams follow the guidance of local, state and federal officials in responding to HPAI – from the first detection to cleaning and disinfection to flock repopulation.

Impacted Versova-managed farms have uniquely responded to HPAI outbreaks by:

• Utilizing a core team that is experienced in responding to disease outbreaks.

• Purchasing and sharing resources, such as personal protective equipment and cleaning equipment, internally between companies.

• Restocking more efficiently due to our pullet growing capacity across the system.

When responding to a disease outbreak, our priorities are animal welfare, and employee health and safety. The first human detection of avian influenza occurred on another farm at the same time HPAI was detected at our farm in Washington. In response, farm leaders immediately implemented enhanced protocols and additional screenings and increased the required use of personal protective equipment to ensure the safety of workers. Our proactive response for employee safety precautions shaped the disease prevention protocols that are now followed at other operations.

Through continued advocacy, we remain hopeful for long-term solutions to prevent HPAI in our flocks and look forward to collaborating with industry partners to drive meaningful change.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

This past year has been a testament to the strength of our people and the power of our shared purpose. Amidst industry-wide challenges and a rapidly evolving egg production landscape, our teams remained focused on what matters most: protecting the well-being of our people and flocks, delivering safe, high-quality eggs to our customers, and advancing our long-term vision for growth and sustainability.

The continued impact of HPAI tested our operations, our teams and our sustainability efforts. Yet, thanks to the swift, coordinated actions of team members across all levels, we maintained farm operations with only moderate disruption. At the heart of our response was a steadfast commitment to take care of our team members and flocks, alongside our ongoing focus on food safety and quality. This dedication allowed us to navigate uncertainty while upholding the high standards that define our work.

Even as we navigated adversity, 2024 was a year of meaningful growth. We integrated Morning Fresh Farms and Oakdell Egg Farms, along with their fertilizer businesses, into the Versova-managed family of farms. This expansion broadens our cage-free footprint and strengthens our portfolio, as well as deepens our commitment to innovation and sustainable agriculture.

Throughout this journey, our focus has remained steady — investing in our people, advancing operational excellence and building stronger communities. This sustainability report highlights the measurable progress we’ve made across our farms, as well as the actionable steps we’re taking to drive continuous improvement and lead responsibly into the future.

As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, I remain confident in our vision. With a resilient foundation, a clear sense of purpose, and a One Team mindset, we are well-positioned to shape the future of sustainable egg production — together.

J.T. Dean President

A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY

When I reflect on 2024, I think about the resilience of our farm teams — the people who show up every day with a deep sense of compassion for the hens in our care. This past year tested us in many ways, not only emotionally at the farm level, but also in how we measure progress across our operations and sustainability efforts.

Periods of disruption can unsettle even the best-laid plans. HPAI interrupted business continuity, making year-over-year data comparisons less relevant and often obscuring the full picture of our work. These moments pushed us to evolve and reframe how we assess impact and operational efficiency while supporting the unique needs of each farm.

What remains clear is that our commitment to continuous improvement is as strong as ever. By adapting our approach, we’re gaining better insights and finding smarter ways to meet our sustainability goals regardless of the circumstances. We leaned into a more nuanced way of measuring performance, shifting from year-over-year comparisons to per-hen and per-dozen benchmarks that account for variability and offer a more defined view of efficiency and impact. This approach allows us to meet each farm where they are on their journey, particularly those working through HPAI recovery or transition.

We continue to leverage data and technology to improve traceability, optimize our resource use, and further strengthen our animal care practices. These tools allow us to make smarter, more sustainable decisions at every level of the organization.

Looking ahead, I’m particularly excited about a new initiative we’re rolling out in 2025 — a system for reviewing the sustainability impact of capital investments. By measuring resource utilization before and after project implementation, we’ll gain sharper insight into what’s working and where we can continue to improve.

Sustainability is not a destination — it’s a practice of constant learning, adapting, and refining. I’m proud of the work we’ve done in 2024, and I’m energized by what lies ahead as we strive to build a more data-informed and resilient future for our farms.

Emily Battilega Director of Sustainability

GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND CORE VALUES

Our guiding principles and core values are woven into every aspect of our business, empowering our team members to live by them every day. They are the foundation of our sustainability program and help direct our actions.

We developed our guiding principles and core values very intentionally. Our guiding principles are listed on the outside of the egg shape. By following these principles, we protect the core of the egg, just like a shell. The placement of the guiding principles around the egg matter; quality & compliance and stewardship are the foundation of everything we do. Execution and efficiency come next, as they are vital to the strength of our organization, while servant leadership and continuous improvement are listed at the top, as we aspire to pursue excellence in both.

Our core values shape how we operate and are important to protecting our One Team at the center of it all. Through the implementation and use of these shared values, we are providing our team with the welcoming, safe workplace they deserve. By coming together as One Team, we can strive to be the premier egg producer.

TrilliumFarms

PEOPLE

Our One Team daily work. By nurturing our people’s well-being, growth and engagement, we enable everyone to contribute their best work and feel truly connected.

TOTAL EMPLOYEES

= 2,082

Females: 29%

Males: 71%

Recognizing Our One Team

At Versova-managed farms, recognition is more than just acknowledging hard work, it’s about fostering a culture where every employee feels valued, supported and empowered to grow. As One Team, we are committed to creating an environment that encourages long-term careers, promotes safety and ensures every team member has the tools and resources to succeed.

One of the most significant achievements of the year has been an 8% reduction in employee turnover.

This positive trend reflects the impacts of our ongoing recognition and retention efforts and reinforces dedication to our people. Today, the average employee has 4.8 years of tenure, and many have built long-term careers.

Our approach to retention is centered on employee support, professional growth and continuous improvement. In 2024, we focused on updating our benefits package to ensure competitive offerings. Additionally, WAVE (Women at Versova Excel) held their annual planning meeting in Golden, Colorado. The team defined WAVE’s purpose: Building connections to support women. They also created three pillar committees to support that purpose. In 2025, WAVE will launch advocacy, connections and development committees to expand engagement.

By focusing on career growth, workplace culture and benefits that matter, we are building a stronger, more resilient team.

10 EMPLOYEES have been with us more than 40 YEARS.

27 EMPLOYEES have been with us more than 30 YEARS.

40 EMPLOYEES have been with us more than 25 YEARS.

227 EMPLOYEES have been with us more than 10 YEARS.

634 EMPLOYEES have been with us more than 5 YEARS.

913 EMPLOYEES have been with us more than 3 YEARS.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Prioritizing Safety & Security

A critical component of employee recognition and retention is ensuring a safe and secure work environment. Since launching in 2023, there are now more than 60 employees participating in their farm-level grassroots safety committee.

EMPLOYEES PARTICIPATING IN THEIR FARM-LEVEL GRASSROOTS SAFETY COMMITTEE

One of our new programs is a hazard identification program, which is being rolled out to all farms. Employees are trained to identify potential hazards in their workplace. Employees then are encouraged to record possible hazards and submit their observations to their safety committees. Our front-line employees are our eyes and ears. By training them on hazard identification, we can quickly identify and correct hazards on a larger scale.

As we look ahead, we will continue to invest in workplace safety initiatives, ensuring every employee feels secure and supported in their role.

Centrum Valley Farms

EFFICIENCY

Ensuring an Efficient Workforce

As our family of companies grows, so does the opportunity to evaluate and refine our workforce practices. In 2024, we proactively focused on efficient labor models, ensuring productivity while prioritizing our team members. Through collaboration with the People Operations department and Operations teams, we reduced our dependency on contractor labor by investing resources to train and manage internal sanitation teams at several farms. Through this investment we reduced contract labor by 74% company-wide, strengthening our commitment to a skilled, dedicated workforce.

By tapping into the network of leaders within Versova-managed farms, we can ensure alignment with the needs of the business and the strengths of our talented team members. In 2024, we introduced a production management team at Hawkeye Pride Egg Farm, composed of high-potential managers focused on driving production improvements and operational excellence. This initiative has improved key performance metrics and will play a crucial role in the long-term success of Versova-managed farms.

Uplifting our Communities

We believe that strong farms create strong communities, and we are committed to making a lasting impact in the places we call home. Our teams live out the core values of community and service through charitable giving and volunteerism, demonstrating a deep commitment to those around us.

This dedication was further strengthened with the launch of the Versova Community Foundation in 2023, which formalized our philanthropic efforts under four key pillars. These areas of impact ensure our charitable contributions directly benefit first responders, hunger relief, youth agricultural programs, and mental health.

First Responders: One of the Foundation’s signature fundraising events, the annual Center Fresh Golf Outing, continues to make a significant impact. In 2024, the event raised a recordbreaking $166,985 to support the Sioux Center Fire Department and Sioux Center Ambulance.

Hunger Relief: We recognize our responsibility in the fight against hunger. In 2024, Versovamanaged farms collectively donated 4.6 million eggs to local food pantries, community events, and hunger relief organizations, helping provide nutritious food for families in need across the country and around the world.

Youth in Agriculture: Our commitment to the future of agriculture extends to supporting youth organizations like 4-H and FFA in the communities we serve. Through monetary donations, egg contributions for poultry judging events and hands-on volunteerism, our teams support the education and development of young leaders in agriculture. Employees engage by judging competitions, coaching students and mentoring youth.

Mental Health: We support organizations and programs focused on education, advocacy and guidance efforts that make a difference in the lives of those affected by mental health conditions.

Center Fresh Group

SERVANT LEADERSHIP

Servant Leadership in Action

Servant leadership is one of our most cherished core values. At Versova-managed farm locations, there are countless examples of employees stepping up to serve their team and operation — like the Center Fresh team serving their community in a time of crisis.

In June 2024, the neighboring communities of Hawarden and Rock Valley, Iowa, were devastated by flooding, which displaced residents and destroyed homes. As families returned to assess the destruction, they faced flooded basements, ruined belongings and overwhelming cleanup needs. Seeing this need, more than 40 Center Fresh team members volunteered their time, energy and strength to help their neighbors recover. From removing carpet and furniture to assisting homeowners in salvaging their homes, their actions reflected a servant leadership mindset.

Center Fresh Group

PLANET

As stewards of the land, we understand that our actions today shape the future of tomorrow. Producing more than nine billion eggs annually to nourish the world is no small task, and we approach it with a deep sense of respect for the environment and a commitment to excellence. As our operations grow to meet increasing demands, we are mindful of our environmental footprint, striving for continuous improvement in the way we manage the land, air and water surrounding Versovamanaged farms.

STEWARDSHIP

Stewarding Sustainable Solutions

Stewardship at Versova is defined by how we care for our resources, including our hens and the many elements that contribute to egg production, even waste. At times, it can be challenging to find a sustainable outlet to dispose of the large volume of eggshells that are a byproduct of breaking eggs for liquid egg production. Our Iowa operations combine eggshells with our poultry litter supplied to local farmers for fertilizer. This year at Trillium Farms, we diverted the eggshells from the landfill and redirected them to local farmers as a beneficial crop additive. The eggshells, which are high in calcium, add nutrients to the soil while reducing the use of lime.

Trillium Farms

Excellence in Nutrition

Our commitment to excellence extends beyond the hen house, starting in our feed mills, where our teams work tirelessly to ensure our birds receive the highest quality nutrition. With 12 company-owned and operated feed mills, the team carefully crafts balanced rations using premium ingredients, prioritizing hen health, feed safety and operational efficiency.

This year, the LaRue, Ohio, feed mill at Trillium Farms underwent a significant equipment upgrade. During this time, the Croton, Ohio, team stepped up in their place, working around the clock to mill and transport feed for the birds in LaRue. Their dedication reflects the One Team mentality, ensuring uninterrupted nutrition for our flocks.

Our nutritionist and nutrition team evaluate feed consumption and poultry diets to ensure our hens receive optimum nutrition without waste. We prioritize sustainable sourcing and continue to use alternative ingredients, like byproduct feeds, when available, to maximize efficiency and reduce environmental impact. In 2024, our birds required 183,968 acres of corn and 270,095 acres of soybeans.

183,968 ACRES OF CORN

270,095 ACRES OF SOYBEANS

2,859

DOZEN EGGS PRODUCED PER ACRE OF SOYBEAN NEEDED

4,197

DOZEN EGGS PRODUCED PER ACRE OF CORN NEEDED

TOTAL ACRES: 454,063

1,700 DOZEN EGGS PRODUCED PER ACRE OF LAND

Trillium Farms

RESPECT

Respecting the Land

We understand that healthy soil is the foundation of sustainable agriculture, and we believe true sustainability starts with honoring and respecting the land. By repurposing poultry litter as a natural fertilizer, we help farmers maintain soil health while supplying nutrients to the crops and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers, which only provide select nutrients to crops.

Through poultry litter nutrient testing, we ensure farmers can apply the correct amount of litter to fit the nutrient profile of their land. Our farms sell poultry litter in several forms, including compost, dehydrated poultry waste (DPW), fertilizer containing DPW and unprocessed poultry litter. These options provide flexibility for farmers to nourish their land in a way that suits their needs.

LITTER: 593,371 TON PRODUCED

COMPOST: 54,591 TON PRODUCED

COM·POST /ˈkämˌpōst/

noun

a monitored process that takes organic matter, like poultry litter, mixed with a carbon source, like straw, brought to temperatures above 164°F for a specified time period, creating a soil additive with microbiomes and nutrients for plant growth.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Improved Efficiency at Ovation Farms

Sustainability is a journey of continuous improvement — even simple changes can have a big impact. The Ovation team in Thompson, Iowa, identified a valuable opportunity to increase processing efficiency through the installation of a grading machine. Rather than producing only liquid egg products, Ovation can target and pack the optimalsized eggs for retail shell egg customers while sending the remainder to continue through the breaking lines.

This addition optimized the entire operation, resulting in a 10% reduction in checked eggs, which have a broken or cracked shell, and a 25% reduction in transportation of those eggs. From an operational standpoint, the change reduces labor hours, expenses and duplicative water and chemical usage in egg washing.

Ovation Farms

OWNERSHIP

Taking ownership involves identifying a concern and implementing a solution. One barrier to maximized execution was the inefficiency of the equipment in the egg packing lines at Oakdell Farms in Utah. To resolve the issue, both sites invested in upgraded box tapers, which increased the number of cases processed per hour by nearly 10% by reducing equipment malfunction.

INCREASE IN CASES OF EGGS PROCESSED PER HOUR

Packaging for eggs comes in many forms, and egg cartons can be made from a variety of materials, including pulp fiber, foam and recycled plastic. Versova tailors its product packaging, which includes egg cartons, flats, boxes and reusable plastic crates, to meet each customer's specifications and needs. The following chart showcases our egg carton profile usage in 2024. In recent years, we have increased the use of pulp fiber and recycled plastic.

Willamette Egg Farms

POULTRY

Our dedication to the health and wellbeing of our flocks is fundamental to the success and integrity of Versovamanaged farm operations. Our hens are provided with safe, secure living conditions and access to nutritious food, clean water and veterinary care. We are proud of our commitment to ensuring every element of our hen care practices prioritizes the health and well-being of our flocks. By focusing on quality, compliance and responsibility, we produce safe, nutritious eggs while upholding our reputation as an industry leader in hen welfare.

QUALITY AND COMPLIANCE

Commitment to Quality and Compliance

We pride ourselves on our unwavering focus of quality and compliance. With more than 50 team members dedicated to overseeing animal welfare, food safety and environmental compliance, they are fully integrated into every aspect of our operations, working closely with and often alongside the flock caretakers. A true testament to the work of the compliance team is shown through the results of our animal welfare audits, with 100% receiving passing scores in 2024.

Our shell egg processing facilities are HACCP and SQF-compliant. Throughout the year, we have more than 150 audits to ensure compliance with various animal welfare, biosecurity, environmental and food safety standards.

Additionally, we have partnered with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services to collect more information on HPAI through surveillance programs. This partnership involves monitoring wild birds and animals on Versova-managed farms, and then APHIS conducts tests to determine the presence of HPAI in wild birds and animals. This information has informed our disease prevention experts and has been key in improving our compliance programs to further enhance biosecurity efforts at our farms.

100% PASSING SCORES ON ANIMAL WELFARE AND FOOD SAFETY AUDITS

Executing Our Goals

Versova-managed farms have been investing in cage-free layer housing for years. In 2024, through both acquisition and new construction, we doubled the number of cage-free birds in our family of companies and proudly report more than 40% of our birds are housed in cage-free barns.

With substantial investment in the expansion and conversion of our cage-free facilities, we are committed to being a leader in this space to meet the needs of customers and consumers. As we continue to expand and remodel layer houses, and build new cage-free barns, we have modified construction designs to enhance animal welfare based on feedback from production teams.

OF VERSOVA’S HENS ARE CAGE-FREE

Willamette Egg Farms

Initiating Change

Raising cage-free laying hens involves training the pullets to use the features of our cage-free housing, which offers our flocks several important enrichments. Animal welfare research has shown that pullets raised in housing similar to the layer house will experience better production outcomes and less stress.

Taking the initiative to innovate and challenge how things have always been done is no small feat. Our pullet flock caretaker team took initiative through a heightened focus on cagefree pullet training in 2024. Training a pullet involves slowly acclimating them to their environment and ensuring they learn the locations of food and water, how to navigate their environment, and how to perch at night. While this may seem simple, there are several variables to consider, and each flock responds differently.

Employees must consider feed timings, ventilation patterns, light sequencing, perch height and timing of employee hen welfare checks. By implementing further training in the pullet house, these birds are more prepared to enter the cage-free layer house. Versova-managed cage-free operations have seen a 23% increase in hen livability during the first month of placement as they adjust to their new home.

23% INCREASE IN HEN LIVABILITY DURING THE FIRST MONTH AFTER CAGE-FREE PULLET TRAINING

Trillium Farms

Serving our Family of Companies

In late 2023, we welcomed two new farms to our family of companies – Morning Fresh Farms and Oakdell Egg Farms. Several team members have stepped up to assist in onboarding these farms to the Versova family.

Nick Davis, maintenance technician at Trillium Farms in Ohio, provided incredible service to farms in the Western region, making several trips to Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah and Colorado. His visits focused on teaching maintenance technicians and egg processing staff about the process flow and machine control settings. His expertise allowed teams to achieve the most efficient egg flow, reduce egg loss and process eggs to a high standard. Following his return to Trillium, he continues to provide maintenance support and counsel to the company’s western region.

Oregon team members traveled to Washington to provide expertise and help with preventative maintenance. These team members provided their knowledge of operating systems, egg processing, inventory control and flock management. Team members from Canby, Oregon, helped Oakdell Egg Farms replace hundreds of feet of manure belts, guided the replacement of nest box drives and assisted the team with cage-free maintenance.

Oakdell Egg Farm

INTEGRITY

As Versova Management expands its family of companies, data integrity is a key focus area. Sound data informs decisions and allows for improved decision making.

This chart* provides a snapshot of the 2024 averages for the metrics we track daily:

WATER 1.23 Dozen eggs laid per gallon of water consumed

CASE WEIGHT 48.7 Pounds per 30 dozen eggs

CAGE-FREE PRODUCTION %

CAGED PRODUCTION %

Average egg production

ELECTRICITY EFFICIENCY 4.74 Dozen eggs laid per kWh

*data excludes Oakdell Egg Farms and Morning Fresh Farms

Implementing consistent data collection systems across all operations takes time. We have implemented new technology at Oakdell Egg Farms and Morning Fresh Farms to improve data availability. Both farm operations now have:

UPGRADED EGG COUNTERS = ACCURATE EGG INVENTORIES

By improving our data collection, we can make better decisions about our flocks and operations.

A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

The Versova-managed family of companies is committed to continuous sustainability improvement and leveraging innovative technology to enhance sustainability outcomes and reduce our farms’ environmental impact.

We continue to pursue solutions to address our most challenging farm-based issues while creating additional revenue streams and repurposing waste as a valued resource. As a result, we are raising the bar for our sustainability practices. With the continuation of a centralized data system and analysis on capital expenditure in 2025, our operations team members will be armed with real-time information for decision-making, and we are developing monthly scorecards to evaluate continuous improvement.

As it is the responsible thing to do for our hens, employees, customers and business, we continue to seek out opportunities to advance our thinking and innovate within our programs, and we will enhance practices on our farms as needed to ensure a more sustainable future.