I had the immense pleasure of driving around rural upstate New York last weekend, touring cattle farms that are like-minded to us. Quite honestly, this was the culmination of a 6 year search to find farms to partner with after our previous supplier retired.
Why did it take so long when there are cattle for sale all over?
Well…finding cattle isn’t hard.
Finding cattle that you can feel good about feeding your family?
That’s where things get complicated.
The question is not, “Where can we find affordable cattle?”
Instead it’s, “Is this good enough to feed the families that trust us?”
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You’re trying to feed your family food that supports their health.
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You’re trying to make choices that align with your values.
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You’re trying to feel confident—not conflicted—about what’s on your plate.
We feel the same way, which is why we have put so much time and energy into this.
Every year it feels like a last minute scramble. We have always found good cattle, but not consistently from the same source, as they are small operations, and some have been going out of business.
Along the journey, we have looked at cattle in North Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. I even spoke with some ranchers in Missouri and Nebraska.
But we know the importance of how cattle are raised, for land, animal, and your health, so we have pressed on to find some more consistent options that are closer to home.
And I’m so happy to announce that we have finally found them. Several!!!
For the most part, we will continue buying cattle around 2 years old (as we have been doing), and grazing them on our farm for the spring, summer, and fall before processing.
We are constantly striving to improve our sourcing, our systems, our impact on the planet, and the end product for you. We value your trust as you feed your family. Thanks for your support as we continue to grow and improve…together!