Our Standards
Doing things the right way isn't easy.
But it's always worth it.
Our producers meet the following (extremely high) standards:
Regenerative
Verifiably regenerative, holistic, and/or sustainable agricultural practices, including:
- Pasture raised animals and rotational grazing
- Responsible water usage and minimal soil disturbance (no regular tilling)
- Supports a diverse ecosystem and all available land is covered with vegetative matter
- Supplemental feed is grown on-farm in a rotational or perennial system
- Does not contribute to deforestation and land is not used for any extractive purposes
Humane & Ethical
Animals are treated humanely throughout their entire lives, including during slaughter and processing.
- Adequate shelter, food, and water provided at all times
- No preventative antibiotics. No hormones or steroids.
- Environment is designed to encourage natural behaviors and protect animals from discomfort, fear, and distress
- No routine indoor confinement unless medically necessary
- Farming and other practices promote proper nutrition
Photo credit: Grant Beachy, Edible Michiana
Locally Processed
All animals are processed on-farm or at nearby, family-owned small meat processors for minimal stress.
- The majority of our producers' animals are processed on-farm
- All other animals are processed by nearby small meat processors.
- Processors have robust humane animal treatment policies in place and enforced
- This supports our producers and their local meat processors, ensuring a strong and robust local supply chain
Photo credit: Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette