Our Practices
Regenerative & Sustainable Farming
We utilize many regenerative and sustainable farming practices to raise healthy and happy livestock, rebuild our soil, and supply our community with wholesome and nutritious protein.
Locally Grown Non-GMO Grain
We purchase our feed directly from 1811 Feed, a small, family-owned farm located in Fairfield County, just one county south of Licking County. 1811 Feed grows and locally sources non-GMO grain to make their feed. Non-GMO feed is given to our pigs, chickens, hens, turkeys, and ducks.
Rotational Grazing
We utilize rotational grazing to maintain pasture and soil health as well as reduce the risk of disease and control parasites in our livestock. Rotational grazing also helps to prolong the pastures during droughts by giving the pastures time to rest. We try to give each pasture a 30-45 day break to regenerate. A plant begins the regrowth stage 7 days after grazing, so we try to rotate our cattle and sheep every 5-7 days and our poultry every other day. Rotational grazing livestock also allows for better manure distribution, which is a great source of nutrients for our soil.
Pasture / Woodland Raised
Our cattle, sheep, and poultry are raised on pasture and our pigs are raised in the woods. We utilize movable shelter-like hay wagons and huts to keep livestock out of extreme weather, and range feeders and water tanks/troughs that can be easily moved around the pastures. On our farm, our cattle, sheep, and pigs spend their entire life outside. Our poultry spend the first 2 to 4 weeks of their life in a brooder that keeps them warm and safe before they head out to pasture. We believe that all livestock should be raised on pasture and have access to foraging, sunshine, and fresh air. Studies show that pasture-raised livestock is healthier because their living conditions are cleaner; they are rotated on pasture which helps to control parasites; and they have more space to move around which minimizes the risk of spreading diseases. Pasture-raised livestock is also good for the environment by improving soil health through nutrient distribution in manure, sequestering carbon in the soil, and promoting plant diversity. Studies indicate that pasture-raised meat is more nutritious and flavorful than conventionally raised meat because of its diet that includes grasses, legumes, insects, and worms. Pasture-raised meat also contains higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and substantially more vitamins, like Vitamin A, D, E, and iron than conventionally raised meat.
Livestock Guardian Dogs
We have two livestock guardian dogs: Dottie and Cooper. They protect our poultry and, soon, our lambs from predators. We raise our poultry differently than most pasture-based farmers; we do not have “chicken tractors” that protect the poultry, instead, our poultry is free to roam as they please across our entire pasture. Dottie and Cooper go between two pastures to keep hawks, owls, raccoons, foxes, opossums, and other predators from attacking our poultry.
Start to Finish Grass Fed / Finished Cattle
We raise Herefords, Hereford/Angus crosses, and a few Angus cattle. Herefords are notoriously gentle and have a calm demeanor, which makes them our preferred breed of cattle. We run a Hereford bull with our cows and keep our heifers to grow our cattle herd. Our cows and their calves are never vaccinated and are never given any growth hormones. Our cows calve naturally on pasture with no assistance from us. We only medicate our cattle when absolutely necessary to preserve their well-being. While we are not certified organic we do not spray our pastures or hay fields with pesticides or synthetic fertilizers and we opt for all natural products when necessary. Studies show that grass-fed beef typically contains less fat than corn-fed beef with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the meat; promotes animal welfare because grazing on pasture fulfills cattle’s natural instincts; and is environmentally friendly not only by producing fewer carbon emissions, but grass-fed beef systems sequester carbon in the soil, conserve water, and improve plant biodiversity.
Feeding Vegetables and Fruits to our Livestock
We partner with a local free community market and pick up produce twice a week that is not fit for human consumption to feed our livestock. Most of the fruits and veggies are fed to our pigs, but depending on the type of produce we get, sometimes it is fed to our cattle and laying hens. Our pigs love the produce and come running when we dump it in their pasture. They especially love leafy greens, berries, bananas, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes. Citrus, potatoes, and onions typically are fed to the cattle, and hot peppers go to our laying hens since they cannot taste the spice. Feeding produce scraps not only benefits our livestock, but it keeps compostable items from rotting in the landfill and allows us to upcycle the nutrients and ultimately improve our soil health. Want to learn more about managing food waste? You should check out the documentary WASTED: The Story of Food Waste.
