Protocols

The USDA requires the use of an antimicrobial agent when processing certain animals. This is to reduce the chance of contamination of potentially harmful pathogens. Different processors use different antimicrobial agents. This processor uses certified-for-organic citric and lactic acids.

The USDA requires the use of an antimicrobial agent when processing certain animals. This is to reduce the chance of contamination of potentially harmful pathogens. Different processors use different antimicrobial agents. This processor uses organic apple cider vinegar.

For pork, the USDA does not require the carcass to be washed with an antimicrobial agent. One of our processors uses water only.

Feed contains organic oats, soaked in raw skim milk and whey from cheese making, with the addition of a little heirloom corn.

Does not contain soy in the feed or in the ingredients.

Does not contain soy or corn in the feed or in the ingredients.

Our animals live outdoors in the open air and sunshine on pasture all year round. It’s green when the weather allows for it. They have plenty of room to roam and are moved daily. Our dairy cows, beef cows, and turkeys are out on open pasture. Our chickens are in mobile coops, protected from predators.

Our pigs are given plenty of room to run and play and root. They mainly live in deep bedded hoop houses and are given free access to the outdoors.

All of our cheese is A2/A2 and contains 100% A2 beta-casein protein. What is A2 anyway?

Well, a few thousand years ago, cows in Europe were put under stress and started producing a new type of protein, the A1 beta-casein protein. All other mammals (humans, goats, buffalo, mice, camels, whales, etc) produce milk with 100% A2 beta-casein protein. Those cows made their way to America, and now basically all American milk has both A1 and A2 beta-casein proteins in it.

Science is showing that the A1 beta-casein protein can be harmful to our health, sometimes causing chronic long term illness. And, some people who cannot tolerate conventional dairy can handle A2/A2 dairy.

This is why we choose to make A2/A2 cheese. It’s for the love of cheese!

All of our products follow the same natural standards, but some are Certified Organic by the USDA. These products are grown and processed according to the federal guidelines addressing, among many factors, soil quality, animal raising practices, pest and weed control, and use of additives.

OK, it’s not really just “grass” like it is in your front yard, it’s pasture. Our 100% grass fed and finished ruminant animals eat a diverse mix of grasses, legumes, and other plants. They eat fresh pasture in the warmer months, and dried pasture (AKA hay) in the colder months.

Our animals are raised as naturally as possible. We do not use hormones; we give them the time they naturally need to grow. We do not give them antibiotics; it’s not needed when you have naturally healthy animals living outdoors with plenty of space and fresh air. In the rare case an animal gets sick, it does not heal from natural treatment, and is given antibiotics, that animal would not be used to produce our food.

We do not use any GMO crops or fish in our feed.

Our non-ruminant animals are fed a high quality, GMO-free feed.

The regular pig feed contains corn, soybeans, small grains, and minerals.

The whey-fed pig feed contains organic oats, soaked in raw skim milk and whey from cheese making, with the addition of a little heirloom corn.

Our regular chicken and turkey feed contains corn, soybeans, fishmeal, small grains, and minerals.

Our soy-free chicken and turkey feed contains corn, fishmeal, small grains, and minerals.

Processed in a USDA certified facility.

Our pigs are fed a chemical-free feed that contains organic oats, soaked in raw skim milk and whey from cheese making, with the addition of a little heirloom corn.