What does "Grass-fed" Mean?

After welcoming our auditor from A Greener World for a full farm tour to renew our certifications, I wondered how many people understood what these certifications mean.  There are so many marketing terms, and trending ideas from influencers that  come and go, which generally leaves us all confused about the food we enjoy.  So why not take a little time to explain, relate, and explore the meanings behind these certifications to hopefully share some understanding. The last blog touched on what pasture-raised means to us, so its’ a natural fit to head right into “grass-fed.”

“Certified Grass-fed”

When you hear “grass-fed,” some often think, “Don’t all cows eat grass?”
Yes, most do, at least for part of their lives. But what we do on our farm goes a little deeper, and is intentional. Certified Grass-fed isn’t just about feeding cattle and sheep grass; it’s about honoring what these animals were designed to eat, and how they were meant to live.

Built for Grass

Cows and sheep aren’t like pigs or chickens, who do not digest grass efficiently for its’ nutrients.  Cattle and sheep are ruminants, biologically designed to thrive on grass and forage alone. Their digestive system is made up of four stomach compartments instead of one; each working in sequence to do one main job: turn tough, fibrous plants into rich nutrition.

Here’s how that works:

• The rumen is the main fermentation chamber, home to billions of microbes that break down cellulose (grass/fiber) the hard-to-digest part of grass.
• The reticulum helps sift and sort particles, sending smaller bits forward and larger ones back for more chewing (that’s cud-chewing).
• The omasum absorbs water and minerals from the mix.
• And the abomasum, or “true stomach,” finishes the job with enzymes, just like our stomachs do.

Without this whole system, especially the microbial magic, cows and sheep wouldn’t be able to get as much from grass. But with it, they turn pasture into powerful nutrition, naturally.

Why Not Grain?

We don’t believe there’s only one “right” way to farm. We believe every farm is unique to the specific environment, economics, and societal pressures of their location. That’s why we are so passionate about being a big impact within the local food industry. 

My parents raised animals the conventional way for years - that was how many small farms operated in the 80s and 90s. And there were times when it made sense. But they also noticed something; the animals, and humans caring for the animals seemed healthier when they were outside. The meat also tasted better, richer, and more complex. They saw firsthand that giving animals access to pasture felt better, for the animal and the farmer.

So no, we don’t villainize grain-feeding. You can raise healthy ruminant animals on grain, and some of our fellow farmers do just that, with care and attention. In fact, here on our own farm, we raise a few grain-fed cattle for our personal use—mostly for the kids' 4-H fair projects. My daughter raises dairy feeder calves, and we finish one out for our family freezer each year. That steer gets grain, because it works for the purpose—and because we know exactly how it was raised and cared for.

But there’s a reason we chose Certified Grass-fed for the core of our business. It reflects our long-term commitment to healthy animals, healthy land, and a food system we believe in.

Grain is dense and energy-rich, but when cows and sheep eat too much of it without movement, it throws off their digestion. Think of it like this: we can eat chips and soda, but if we live on it, our gut gets out of whack. Same thing happens in a cow’s rumen. The microbes get disrupted, the system gets stressed, and you start needing interventions like antibiotics to fix problems that didn’t need to exist.

In other words, grain can be a shortcut.

Living and Eating as Nature Intended

On our farm, “Certified Grass-fed” means cattle and sheep eat grass, hay, and forage their whole lives—no grain, no exceptions. But it also means they live like animals out in nature, moving freely, grazing pastures and chewing their cud in peace.

We rotate them often, part of our regenerative grazing practices, to let the land rest and regrow, and to mimic natural herd movement. This benefits the animals and the soil. We’ve seen our pastures grow thicker, our soil hold more water, and our livestock stay healthier without constant inputs.

The result? Meat that’s:

• Leaner but loaded with healthy fats like omega-3s,
• Higher in vitamins A, E, and CLA, and
• Full of authentic flavor—both from healthy fat and a firm muscle texture.

And it’s not just good for us, it’s good for the earth. Grass-fed animals play a powerful role in carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, and soil health. It’s a full-circle system: animals feeding the land, and the land feeding the animals.

Why We Keep Choosing This

This method isn’t always easy. Grass-fed animals grow slower. The work is more hands-on. You have to really watch the land, adjust to the seasons, and think long-term. The economies of scale are not in our favor either, being a small farmer working with small processors. However, it’s exactly what you have asked of us as your farmer consistently; to work together with the animals and land - to produce food you trust while delivering the highest quality you can taste.