Below is just some info about how we do things at the farm…..

Ruminant Grazing

We use a method of grazing called “Rotational grazing” that resembles the buffalo herds of the ancient plains of North America.  In the plains, a herd of buffalo would come to an area munch the forage to the ground and then move on leaving manure patties in abundance. Over time the manure would fertilize the soil and the grass would re-grow only to have the buffalo return and repeat the process. Today with portable electric wire we can simulate the same process. We section off an area for a few days until it is grazed off and then we move them to a new spot. The cattle come running when it’s time to move!  To really understand how this benefits the soil (and you) it’s important to know about organic matter and root structure. When you observe forages from above the ground you can generally estimate the root lengths to be about the same or a mirror image so to speak. If you cut the plant from above the roots will die off in length to match the above ground plant. This leaves decaying roots or “organic matter” deep in the ground. The more organic matter in the soil the more vitality it has. It can assimilate minerals better and the PH of the soil balances out better. This means the animals get more vitamins and minerals in their feed and better quality meat, eggs, and milk for you.

Pastured poultry

Chickens, Turkeys, Eggs

Pasture raised poultry is a system that involves raising birds directly on the pasture. This allows them to receive up to 20% of their feed intake from the pasture forages. We use two common methods to grow poultry out on a pasture.

The Salatin style-This was made popular buy a Virginia farmer named Joel Salatin. Basically the birds are in a portable bottomless shelter (about 10ft x 12ft) that is moved daily. The birds have room to run while still having shelter to give them shade from the sun and protect them from the rain and predators. By moving the pens the birds have access to fresh vegetation at all time.

Day Range- This method still uses shelters but they are open all the time so the birds truly are free roaming. We don’t move the pens as frequently so it is a little less labor intensive for us but we have to be very careful of predators. You will always see a guardian dog with the birds when we use this method.

 Both methods that we use give our flocks a clean, healthy environment to thrive in. Because poultry require more condensed protein than ruminants they are also fed, free choices high quality grains