Strengthening the Path to Sustainability
posted on
February 15, 2023
Embracing the simplicity and integrity of regenerative farming
Pinpointing the problem
When you think about farming, you might imagine rolling hills or acres of corn as high as your knees. You might see cows on pasture and chickens gathered around their coop. A horse might be seen leaving the warmth of a beautiful red barn. This is the imagine you SHOULD see. Sadly, most farms in America look nothing like this anymore. Locked in cages or stalls, many animals will never graze the open pasture or feel the sun on their faces. Chickens labeled as “cage free” may still live in huge factory style barns, forced to live out their days in their own waste. This needs to change. If you have been watching the news, you have probably heard stories about Avian Influenza. It is no secret that AI (Avian Influenza) has hit the US very hard. It has claimed the lives of 58+ million chickens just this year! This has obviously affected the national and global egg supply. With our math, we have found that roughly 12-18% of eggs have been taken off the market. This may not seem like a lot but it is enough to empty store shelves. From inflation adding costs to production to barns full of birds burning to the ground, the egg and chicken prices have soared. It can be overwhelming trying to keep up with all the hurdles between our food source and our families.
Navigating towards a solution
From a few chickens in my backyard to a fully operational regenerative farm, I have always wanted to use the most ethical farming practices. This meant learning from other farmers and researching all the “how-tos”. It also meant a lot of trail and error. But throughout the process of learning, one thing always seemed to resonate, simplicity. Don’t get me wrong, by simplicity I don’t mean the life of a farmer is easy. It means long hours, hardwork and muddy boots. But what I do mean is that we often complicate things.
Raising with integrity
We work hard to raise our animals in the most natural way possible. We want to limit human intervention so we don’t use hormones or antibiotics. Our beef are grass-fed and grass-finished. Our chickens are moved daily to new, fresh pasture. These practices can help us mitigate the risks of Avian Influenza. Healthy practices equal happy and healthy animals. This is better for not only the animals within our care, but the customers who consume our products.
From pasture to porch…
bringing simplicity to your shopping experience
Shop local
Find a farmer you can trust. See how their animals are cared for. Transparency is the first step in establishing the relationship between your food source and your table. We always welcome visitors, so if you are in the area feel free to stop by. We, along with many other farmers, are working hard to keep up the demand especially for eggs right now. Always feel free to contact and ask about our inventory. We never want a customer to leave disappointed. We also will post to our social media if we are running low. Make sure to like and follow us for those updates.
Stock your freezer
A great way to combat the insecurities in our food supply is to stock your freezer. We are always here to answer any questions you might have on what is best to order for your family’s needs. Stop on by at the Farm Store or send us an email. Soon, we will be opening up for pre-orders on our 2023 whole, half and quarter beef boxes. We have created a google form to gauge interest so we can anticipate how to best serve our customers. If you are interested in learning more, follow the click box below to get on our interest list.
Final thoughts
With all the negativity surrounding food these days, we want to bring enjoyment back to the shopping experience. Putting nutritious and delicious food on your table shouldn’t be complicated. You can shop with confidence knowing we take pride in the care and welfare of our livestock. We want to thank our amazing customers. If it wasn’t for your support, our family farm would not be able to exist. You play a vital role in the sustainability of regenerative farming.