Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Heritage Breed Animal?
Heritage breeds are traditional livestock breeds that were raised by farmers in the past, before the drastic reduction of breed variety caused by the rise of industrial agriculture. Within the past 15 years, 190 breeds of farm animals have gone extinct worldwide, and there are currently 1,500 others at risk of becoming extinct. In the past five years alone, 60 breeds of cattle, goats, pigs, horses and poultry have become extinct.
In the US, a few main breeds dominate the livestock industry:
83 percent of dairy cows are Holsteins, and five main breeds comprise almost all of the dairy herds in the US.
60 percent of beef cattle are of the Angus, Hereford or Simmental breeds.
75 percent of pigs in the US come from only 3 main breeds.
Over 60 percent of sheep come from only four breeds, and 40 percent are Suffolk-breed sheep.
Heritage animals were bred over time to develop traits that made them particularly well-adapted to local environmental conditions. Breeds used in industrial agriculture are bred to produce lots of milk or eggs, gain weight quickly, or yield particular types of meat within confined facilities. Heritage breeds are generally better adapted to withstand disease and survive in harsh environmental conditions, and their bodies can be better suited to living on pasture.
These livestock breeds also serve as an important genetic resource, and when heritage breeds become extinct, their unique genes are lost forever and can’t be used to breed new traits into existing livestock breeds. Therefore, by raising heritage livestock breeds, sustainable farmers not only maintain variety within our livestock populations, they also help to preserve valuable traits within the species so that future breeds can endure harsh conditions.
There is no official definition or certification for “heritage” animals, but for a livestock breed to be truly heritage, it must have unique genetic traits and also be raised on a sustainable and/or organic farm. Heritage animals are well-suited to sustainable farms since they are able to survive without the temperature-controlled buildings and constant doses of antibiotics administered to the commercial breeds raised on factory farms.
Why raise Heritage breeds?
Several reasons are: It helps keep genetic diversity alive, heritage animals are far more efficient on grass based diets, they taste sooooo much better, and more often than not they are healthier to eat! Believe it or not the best way to preserve a livestock breed is to eat them! Most all livestock exist for our consumption; if they are not a viable source of food then they are put on the fast track to extinction!
How do I order?
Find the information on the contact page and call or e-mail what type of product you are wanting and someone will be back in touch soon. Details on ordering are best taken over the phone or via e-mail.
I have never ordered freezer beef, pork, chicken, etc. direct from a farm do I need to know anything before I order?
Not really, you just need to know that you want quality great tasting food. We can help you every step of the way, and if you’re not familiar with the cuts we will help educate you along the way as well. Education is key to knowing what is best for you and your life’s situations. You can also learn new things to impress your friends/family with, such as what “mountain oysters” are. J
How much freezer space do I need for a half of a beef and half of a pork?
A stand-alone 8cu. deep freezer will hold both halves, and a few chickens or small game.
How long do I have to have my order in before its ready?
It depends upon the type of animal, the season, and the waiting list. The farm is loosely seasonal; some of the animals are available year round such as beef and pork (larger longer gestating animals). Some of the animals are only raised during the growing months to ensure they have pasture all the time, (small meat animals, chickens, turkeys, etc.) Sometimes during the year there will be more calves and piglets and so larger group’s means shorter waiting times.
Do you sell raw cow and goat milk?
Not yet, but it is in our future plans, we are working on the legal issues so we are compliant with state and federal laws and regulations, check the website regularly for updates.
Are you Non-GMO?
Absolutely! There is no greater scourge on the land and farming families than Genetically Modified Organisms and we want NO part of that!
What is a GMO?
The most environmentally and economically destructive force know to man (my thoughts ;) )
GMOs, or “genetically modified organisms,” are plants or animals created through the gene splicing techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering, or GE). This experimental technology merges DNA from different species, creating unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and viral genes that cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding.
Virtually all commercial GMOs are engineered to withstand direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. Despite biotech industry promises, none of the GMO traits currently on the market offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit. A growing body of evidence connects GMOs with health problems, environmental damage and violation of farmers’ and consumers’ rights.
Are you Organic or Organically certified?
In short, no. We are beyond organic. We do not need a government stamp to tell us what we are. You can visit our farm anytime and see first-hand what goes into your food. We do not use GMO animals or seeds, No synthetic fertilizers in our fields, No pesticides on our crops, No antibiotic feeds, No herbicides, No hormones, No CAFO’s. We produce our own grains or buy them local using organic methods and sustainably managed, humanely pastured, heritage livestock, raised outdoors in fresh air and sunshine as God intended.
What is a CAFO?
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concentrated_Animal_Feeding_Operation
What is Dexter cattle?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexter_cattle
www.dextercattle.org/
www.purebreddextercattle.org/
What is a Large Black Hog?
Large Black is the name of the breed, but it is also a good description of the hog J They are arguably the best tasting breed of hog in the world!
http://largeblackhogassociation.org/
Do you deliver?
We currently do not make deliveries.
Can I buy breeding stock?
Absolutely, we are very happy to help anyone that is willing to get started into raising livestock on a small farm, especially heritage breeds!
Heritage breeds are traditional livestock breeds that were raised by farmers in the past, before the drastic reduction of breed variety caused by the rise of industrial agriculture. Within the past 15 years, 190 breeds of farm animals have gone extinct worldwide, and there are currently 1,500 others at risk of becoming extinct. In the past five years alone, 60 breeds of cattle, goats, pigs, horses and poultry have become extinct.
In the US, a few main breeds dominate the livestock industry:
83 percent of dairy cows are Holsteins, and five main breeds comprise almost all of the dairy herds in the US.
60 percent of beef cattle are of the Angus, Hereford or Simmental breeds.
75 percent of pigs in the US come from only 3 main breeds.
Over 60 percent of sheep come from only four breeds, and 40 percent are Suffolk-breed sheep.
Heritage animals were bred over time to develop traits that made them particularly well-adapted to local environmental conditions. Breeds used in industrial agriculture are bred to produce lots of milk or eggs, gain weight quickly, or yield particular types of meat within confined facilities. Heritage breeds are generally better adapted to withstand disease and survive in harsh environmental conditions, and their bodies can be better suited to living on pasture.
These livestock breeds also serve as an important genetic resource, and when heritage breeds become extinct, their unique genes are lost forever and can’t be used to breed new traits into existing livestock breeds. Therefore, by raising heritage livestock breeds, sustainable farmers not only maintain variety within our livestock populations, they also help to preserve valuable traits within the species so that future breeds can endure harsh conditions.
There is no official definition or certification for “heritage” animals, but for a livestock breed to be truly heritage, it must have unique genetic traits and also be raised on a sustainable and/or organic farm. Heritage animals are well-suited to sustainable farms since they are able to survive without the temperature-controlled buildings and constant doses of antibiotics administered to the commercial breeds raised on factory farms.
Why raise Heritage breeds?
Several reasons are: It helps keep genetic diversity alive, heritage animals are far more efficient on grass based diets, they taste sooooo much better, and more often than not they are healthier to eat! Believe it or not the best way to preserve a livestock breed is to eat them! Most all livestock exist for our consumption; if they are not a viable source of food then they are put on the fast track to extinction!
How do I order?
Find the information on the contact page and call or e-mail what type of product you are wanting and someone will be back in touch soon. Details on ordering are best taken over the phone or via e-mail.
I have never ordered freezer beef, pork, chicken, etc. direct from a farm do I need to know anything before I order?
Not really, you just need to know that you want quality great tasting food. We can help you every step of the way, and if you’re not familiar with the cuts we will help educate you along the way as well. Education is key to knowing what is best for you and your life’s situations. You can also learn new things to impress your friends/family with, such as what “mountain oysters” are. J
How much freezer space do I need for a half of a beef and half of a pork?
A stand-alone 8cu. deep freezer will hold both halves, and a few chickens or small game.
How long do I have to have my order in before its ready?
It depends upon the type of animal, the season, and the waiting list. The farm is loosely seasonal; some of the animals are available year round such as beef and pork (larger longer gestating animals). Some of the animals are only raised during the growing months to ensure they have pasture all the time, (small meat animals, chickens, turkeys, etc.) Sometimes during the year there will be more calves and piglets and so larger group’s means shorter waiting times.
Do you sell raw cow and goat milk?
Not yet, but it is in our future plans, we are working on the legal issues so we are compliant with state and federal laws and regulations, check the website regularly for updates.
Are you Non-GMO?
Absolutely! There is no greater scourge on the land and farming families than Genetically Modified Organisms and we want NO part of that!
What is a GMO?
The most environmentally and economically destructive force know to man (my thoughts ;) )
GMOs, or “genetically modified organisms,” are plants or animals created through the gene splicing techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering, or GE). This experimental technology merges DNA from different species, creating unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and viral genes that cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding.
Virtually all commercial GMOs are engineered to withstand direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. Despite biotech industry promises, none of the GMO traits currently on the market offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit. A growing body of evidence connects GMOs with health problems, environmental damage and violation of farmers’ and consumers’ rights.
Are you Organic or Organically certified?
In short, no. We are beyond organic. We do not need a government stamp to tell us what we are. You can visit our farm anytime and see first-hand what goes into your food. We do not use GMO animals or seeds, No synthetic fertilizers in our fields, No pesticides on our crops, No antibiotic feeds, No herbicides, No hormones, No CAFO’s. We produce our own grains or buy them local using organic methods and sustainably managed, humanely pastured, heritage livestock, raised outdoors in fresh air and sunshine as God intended.
What is a CAFO?
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concentrated_Animal_Feeding_Operation
What is Dexter cattle?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexter_cattle
www.dextercattle.org/
www.purebreddextercattle.org/
What is a Large Black Hog?
Large Black is the name of the breed, but it is also a good description of the hog J They are arguably the best tasting breed of hog in the world!
http://largeblackhogassociation.org/
Do you deliver?
We currently do not make deliveries.
Can I buy breeding stock?
Absolutely, we are very happy to help anyone that is willing to get started into raising livestock on a small farm, especially heritage breeds!
