We needed more grass fed beef so today I headed to Gaucho Farms for their farm open house. I love the drive out there--small towns, country deep red/orange dirt roads, and tree lined roads. The farm is also so beautiful with cattle, chickens, and lambs roaming around.
Sadly, with our move just around the corner this was probably my last trip out to the farm. I decided to walk around the farm again this morning since it was my last time to be out there.
Here are some pictures I took of my morning adventure!
My drive out to the farm. The true orange colored dirt roads are not given justice in the above pictures!
The chickens enjoying the beautiful day and finding some good things to eat
All about Gaucho Farms Beef
The start of their garden for the year
Do you purchase your meat locally from sustainable farmers? If not, I highly encourage you to seek out farms that raise animals in a humane way. By supporting the local farmers that do NOT raise their animals in the conventional way of little spaces, no fresh air, and no land to roam on you help make an impact on the big industrial/conventional farming companies with your pocketbook. Vote with your FORK!
Not sure where to buy your meat from or how to find local sustainable farmers? Start at your farmer's market and ask lots of questions. I have a post coming soon about questions to ask at the farmers market.
Find a local food co-op. The farmers that supply the food co-op are probably sustainable farmers, but you still want to ask questions.
To find even more farmers, food co-ops, or farmers markets in your area that raise their animals in a sustainable way, here are a few websites that you can use to search.
I also want to let you know that depending on where you live you might have to drive a little distance to get to the farms. For example, the farm I went to today is about a 35 minute drive but it is worth it! I usually purchase enough meat to last 4-6 months, so really a trip to the farm several times a year is not a big deal. You could also get a group of families that want to purchase meat and rotate trips out to the farm(s).
Call the farmers to set up a time to check out their farm and see how the animals are raised. If the farmers are not willing to let you come meet them and see the farm, do not purchase meat or produce from them. Most farmers LOVE to chat about their farm and animals! Ask lots of questions including:
- Are animals given antibiotics or hormones?
- Are they grazing on fields that are free of pesticides, fertilizers, and GMO free?
- If they are given supplemental feed (lots of times chickens are to help with egg production) and if so is it organic/GMO free? Unfortunately, in some areas it is hard to find NON-GMO feed, but I would rather buy pastured animals from local farms even if the farmers can not get NON-GMO supplemental feed.
Here are a couple good PDF's about what to ask the farmers:
This is a great video of a kid that did a TedX talk a couple years ago about "What's wrong with our food system." He was 11 when he did the talk, very inspirational that a kid his age is taking a stand! It is a 5 minute video SO worth watching.
Have you had luck finding good sustainable farmers where you live? How did you find them? Have you been to tour a farm before?
Great pictures of the farm Andrea - and great information. Can't wait until you're back in Kansas and you can help me find some farms :). Enjoyed the read.
ReplyDeleteI miss having the Alabama farms available to me! I've been trying to find some near us in our new city, but it's hard. I'm hoping to meet some good farmers at the winter farmer's market next weekend -- need to find someone to sell me the 2-3 dozen eggs per week that we eat ;) Also can't wait to get more grass-fed beef... it's just so hard to find around here. Talked to one farmer who grain finishes their pastured beef, and they claimed they just didn't have the time or enough grass to only grass-feed. Sounds like a poor excuse to me.
ReplyDeleteYou and Brenden should talk to Lee when you get back to the area. He treats his cows when they are sick, so they aren't organic, but he grass feeds them year round on pasture. In his words, he like to "let cows be cows", meaning he likes to let them out on pasture and have very minimal human interaction with them. It's easier on the cow, and on the farmer!
ReplyDeleteYou and Brenden should talk to Lee when you get back to the area. He treats his cows when they are sick, so they aren't organic, but he grass feeds them year round on pasture. In his words, he like to "let cows be cows", meaning he likes to let them out on pasture and have very minimal human interaction with them. It's easier on the cow, and on the farmer!
ReplyDeleteI love that farm!
ReplyDelete