Because of consumers’ changing perception of animal production systems, there has been an increased interest in free-range poultry production. Free-range is a production system that allows poultry outdoor access that is expanding without an understanding of its impact. Two University of Kentucky Extension personnel Drs. Jacqueline Jacob and Anthony Pescatore co-chaired a Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) task force that addressed the impact of free-range poultry production systems. This effort resulted in CAST Issue Paper 61: Impact of Free-range Poultry Production Systems on Animal Health, Human Health, Productivity, Environment, Food Safety and Animal Welfare Issues. Highlights of the issue paper were although many perceive free-range poultry production systems to be more animal welfare friendly, the research comparing the different production systems is inconclusive and often contradictory. From a food quality view It does appear that the nutrient content of poultry meat and eggs can be enhanced with access to pastures, with the effect depending on the type and quality of the pasture provided. The risk for microbiological contamination include the season of the year, the size and strain of the flock, housing system, control of rodents, cleaning and sanitation, and mixing of hen ages. There is no indication that the presence of free-range poultry poses a risk to conventional poultry. Mortality rates tend to be higher in free-range production systems compared to conventional indoor systems. The general effect of increased cumulative mortality was to increase all environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions, eutrophication potential, acidification potential, pesticide use, abiotic resource, and land occupation.  This publication has been well received and appeared in major trade journals including “Poultry USA.” The findings of this paper have been presented to the Food Marketing Institute, the National Chicken Council, and Congressional and Senate staff. The results were also presented in Mexico at a symposium on animal welfare.