Our Philosophy
The Farm Philosophy
Farming is a not a job, but rather a lifestyle. Simply said, we are incredibly passionate about what we do and feel blessed to be able to do something we love so much. We feel strongly about our animals, the land, the community, and most importantly- our families and our employees. This passion and commitment can be tasted and enjoyed in every bite of our food.
Our farm is a fervent supporter of the growing LOCAL food movement, recognizing its vital role in strengthening local communities and families as well as preserving invaluable natural resources and stabilizing small farms, like ours. The local food movement has brought about great changes to the way we all think about and consume food. However, like its industrial counterpart, Local food also carries a cost. The distinguishable difference being, its cost bears a face- a very real and tangible face with a real story. We would like to challenge everyone to consider the true cost of our local food: to consider the faces behind your berries, your heirloom tomatoes- your burger, the hands that meticulously pick, wash and sort your French beans and baby lettuces, long and hot days in the sun- packing hay, or frigid days in the cold, trenching through snow and ice- to feed or birth animals, and finally, the hours and miles spent on the road, away from families and growing children, meals and life events equally missed- all to bring about the freshest, highest quality, and most amazing LOCAL food.
The Animals- Our Approach
We are proud to be part of a growing minority of small American farms that have rejected the industrial approach to farming for a more sustainable, holistic approach to farming and animal husbandry. We are committed to conscientiously raising our animals- meaning they are fed a natural diet of what they were intended to eat and raised in a natural environment where they were intended to live.
- Grass-Fed Beef & Lamb- Our cattle and lambs are fed a grass-based diet. The animals are rotationally grazed on our fields during the summer and fall months, a practice which enhances the quality of the meat as well as the health of our land. During the winter months they are fed hay harvested from our fields at our Greenwich Rd Farm. Our ewes are fed a supplemental diet of grain before and after pregnancy to maintain proper health and nutrition.
- Pastured Pork- Omnivores like us, our pigs are fed a mixed diet of vegetable excess from our produce farm during the season and grain. Our pigs are incredibly well fed- dining on strawberries, heirloom tomatoes, even peaches and corn- when available! Our pigs are raised outdoors in the woods where they are free to roam and root, and fulfill their full pigness. Our pigs farrow outdoors during the summer and indoors, where piglets can be kept warm during the winter months.
- Pastured Poultry and Eggs- Our poultry are fed a diet of grain and are provided access to the ‘good old outdoors’ allowing our birds to supplement their diets with grass and insects they glean from our pastures. This practice greatly enhances the quality of our poultry and eggs as well as the taste. The birds are provided shelter in hoop-house structures as protection from the elements and predators.
We often encounter questions regarding organic certification, seasonality, health and nutrition. As part of our commitment to local food and sustainable farming, we have provided further clarification on the following points below!
Why Grass- Fed and Pastured?
Cattle and sheep are ruminants, meaning they were intended to eat a diet of strictly grass. Significant research has been done to show that grass-fed meats and poultry are healthier for both you and the land. You are what you eat! Grass-fed meats are lower in both total fat and saturated fat, resulting in meat with fewer calories and less cholesterol. Additionally, grass-fed meats have been shown to contain higher levels of vitamin E and C, beta-carotene, as well as higher levels of two very important health promoting fats: omega 3-fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid or CLA’s. So go ahead, enjoy that juicy steak!
Pastured pigs are happy pigs! We believe strongly that all animals deserve the right to achieve their full being- whether that be its full turkeyness for a turkey or full pigness for our porcine friends. Pastured pigs are a valued piece of the delicate farm ecosystem and contribute significantly to the overall viability and sustainability of small farm units. Raised in the proper manner, pastured pigs do not generate the odor or the huge amounts of waste disposal issues associated with large piggeries elsewhere in the country.
Local vs. organic?
Organic as well as the entire sustainable food movement has come a long way in just a few short years, yet great steps and efforts still need to be taken to bring us a truly sustainable food system. For many reasons we have chosen not to become organically certified, but rather forge our own pat, one that matches our principles and conveys our values, and have chosen to label our product as Conscientiously grown and raised. While we believe in some of the organic practices and principles supported under the label, we feel the label lacks strength and integrity. Organic has become heavily commercialized and does not address many of the growing food concerns farmers and consumers share. Instead we believe more strongly in a local model of rearing our animals and operating our farm. Local is a model that supports and celebrates the seasonality of our farm and products, and represents the healthy relationship and connection between our families, the land, our animals, and community as well as offers consumers the most transparent connection from farm to plate.
Land Preservation and Wildlife Management: Every day is challenge, but we have been fortunate to avoid “The Final Harvest” here on our farm. (Houses- in case you are wondering!) We have worked hard over the past few decades to promote and support a number open space programs that have benefitted our farm as well as many neighboring farms. Additionally, we consider ourselves to be “wildlife freaks” simply because we love and enjoy the rich diversity Mother Nature has provided us here in Central MASS. We continuously work to preserve, protect and CREATE habitat for some of the amazing flora and fauna on our farms.
Hardwork: Yes, farming is hard work. What can we say. But it’s tremendously fulfilling and gratifying at the end of the day. We take great pride in our work and what we are able to accomplish on a daily and seasonal basis.
Employees: are the backbone of our farm. Often we are asked, “How do you do it?” Simply put, it’s all due to the amazing crew we employee here on our farms.
Raised with Care in a Clean Healthy Environment: We do not use chemicals or antibiotics to rear our animals. That being said, we do not like to see our animals suffer. Upon the recommendation of a veterinarian- we will use antibiotics to help treat a sick animal.
This combined set of beliefs, practices and farm philosophy creates a superior product- we invite you to taste the difference!
