Animals in the System...
One of the most meaningful, enjoyable aspects of our farm life is the daily stewardship of our animals. Every year we buy in yearling steers and piglets. All our animals are field raised on ample pasture and fed only regionally sourced grain free of unnecessary chemical additives.
We believe that pasture-raised animal stewardship is an art. Animals have historically, whether by ethic or necessity, been raised on large, free ranges. It has shaped our landscape, our relationships with livestock and the way we relate to the land. Its an art, and an art we're loosing. Industrially raised meat is cheaper to buy, faster to get to slaughtering weight, takes very little space... but is extraordinarily resource intensive. We believe that when our customers buy meat from us, they are supporting a traditional, sustainable & dieing art. We relate to our animals the way our potter friends relate to their ceramics or our painter, dancer & musician friends relate to their art. Its more expensive to buy pasture-raised, grass-fed meat, but we work hard to keep our prices low (lower than supermarket pasture-raised meat), and we put our hearts behind every animal. We love our art... and our animals.
The animals are sold as "shares" to members. A share denoted as either a whole hog or half a steer. Members who have purchased animals in the previous seasons are given first right of refusal before meat is made available to new members.
How does it work? We're glad you asked...
1. Its important to know that all steers and hogs are sold by the hanging weight pound. To find out more about hanging weight, please click here. Please be warned that the hanging weight discussion is graphic.
2. We ask for $150 deposit in the spring to reserve each animal share.
3. Members are given a cut sheet to outline their processing preferences for their animal.
4. Members tool over to the farm in the Fall to pick up their whole hog or half steer in its processed form. We can also deliver the meat for a small fee.
2012 Animal Price
Pigs are $3.70/lb hanging weight. Whole hogs average 230 lbs
Cows are $3.30/lb hanging weight. Half beef average 220 lbs
