What does "Pasture-Raised" Mean?

We recently welcomed our auditor from A Greener World to the farm for a full tour and to renew our certifications. We’ve been proudly certified Animal Welfare Approved and Certified Grass-fed, and after this visit, we’re excited to share that we’re also working on adding Non-GMO certification to the list.

That all sounds great (and it is) but it also got me thinking about how many of us really know what these labels mean? Why do they matter?

Let’s start with one of the key qualifications behind the Animal Welfare Approved label: animals must be pasture-raised.

So, What Does “Pasture-Raised” Mean?

Food labels can feel like marketing fluff. But “pasture-raised” isn’t a trendy phrase to us; it’s the core of how we’ve farmed for generations.

To us, it means animals live outside, on pasture, with space to move, forage, and just be animals. Our pigs root in the dirt and roll in the mud. Our chickens scratch for bugs. Our cows and sheep graze across rotating pastures, moving to fresh ground.

This isn’t just good for the animals—it’s good for the land. Through regenerative, rotational grazing, we’re able to:

• Keep animals healthy and energetic—no need for routine meds
• Restore and enrich the soil
• Draw carbon back into the ground

Why It’s Good for You, Too

When animals are raised in nature, the meat they produce is naturally healthier.

Studies show pasture-raised meats contain:

• More omega-3s (the good fats)
• Higher levels of vitamins E, A, and CLA
• Less saturated fat overall

But, the science just backs up what we’ve always known as farmers. The flavor of our pasture-raised pork has always stood out, thanks to a combination of heritage breeds and a natural environment. The nutritional data only confirms what we’ve seen firsthand: animals raised in a low-stress, balanced environment produce healthier meat, richer in nutrients, better in flavor, and just more real.

And Yep, It’s Good for the Earth

We believe farming should work with the land, preserving it for future generations. That’s why we focus on regenerative practices that:

• Build living, healthy soil
• Encourage wildlife and plant diversity
• Rely on natural fertilizers and the animals' own impact on the land

Choosing pasture-raised meat means choosing a system rooted in how food used to be raised, and how it can be again.

We’re 7th Generation Farmers - But We Don’t Do This Alone

Farming this way takes commitment. It’s not the fastest or easiest method, but it’s the one we choose. And we couldn’t do it without the support of people like you, who are choosing food that’s different; food that’s thoughtful, traceable, and real.

We’ve stayed true to our roots, holding onto heritage breeds, using hands-on methods, and sticking with our promise: to raise animals with care and produce food you can trust.

And we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for joining us on this journey.