Sourcing Standards
It is our goal to promote and grow a system of farmers who not only have the utmost concern for their cows and land, but also for the global landscape as a whole.
Maintaining the integrity of our Sourcing Standards is at the heart of achieving our goal. In addition to being USDA Certified Organic, the farmers from whom we source broaden their own standards to ensure that they are being stewards of their land, water, and waste systems, as well the best care givers to their herds that a farmer can be.
Our policy is simple: Pastures Rule!
- All cows will be grazed throughout the year as much as weather permits.
- Managed grazing during rainy months to prevent soil erosion.
- Rotational grazing practices to prevent soil erosion and encourage grass growth.
- Whenever possible, on-farm high grasses will be harvested and dried to use for supplemental feeding during the cold months.
- If supplemental feeding to pasture is necessary, such as during cold and rainy months, silage and hay consisting of legumes, grasses, and other forage matters are acceptable feed. Alfalfa, clover, and barley straw are examples of ideal supplemental feeds.
- Absolutely no routine use of hormones or antibiotics. This is implied by Organic certification, but certainly stressed by us.
- During the rainy and cold winter months, all animals will have access to covered barns with clean, preferably straw, bedding to keep them comfortable and warm.
- We prefer to source from closed-herd producers, mitigating any introduction of diseases.
- In cases in which manure from the cows cannot be harvested and distributed as fertilizer, we encourage our farmers to employ on-farm methane digestion when possible, find composting partners, or, reduce their herd size. We will assist our producers in finding these resources.
We pull our inspiration from leaders in both the pastured dairy and beef cattle industries, such as:
Happy Grazing!
