Grassfed Beef and Local Farms

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We recently just visited the Flying J Farm to buy some organic grass-fed beef. It's so good, we bought 200 lbs! 75 was for extended family, but 125 was for us. We anticipate it lasting us 4 - 6 months. It'll be so great to have all that nice, healthy meat sitting in our freezer whenever we need it!

There are some really awesome benefits to grass-fed meat, which is why we've selected it. The cattle is fed only grass (never grain, which is basically junk food for cattle), and no antibiotics or hormones. The meat is naturally leaner (not that we're looking for LESS fat; but we don't want unnecessary, trans fats created by the unnatural diet in factory-farmed animals) and higher in many nutrients. It's higher in vitamin C, D, E, omega-3 fats, and CLA. You can read more about the benefits here. You can read additional information on Kelly the Kitchen Kop's site too.

It's kind of scary to buy factory-farmed meat, so having a local option (or really, a non-local but organic and grass-fed option) is great. Read this article on food processing and it'll turn your stomach. If that isn't enough, read more about factory-farmed meat. Grass-fed really is the way to go!

If you haven't tasted grass fed beef, you should! It's nothing like the junk you buy at the supermarkets. The first time I made burgers from it (fried in a pan so it wouldn't lose too much of its fat, with some nice onions to go on top), Ben turned to me and said "Best burger ever!" We've been using this beef more and more in our cooking over the past several weeks, and we've really enjoyed it. At first, Bekah didn't like it much, but now she seems to prefer it. It's juicy and delicious, and has almost a fresh, grass-like taste. Even overcooked (I once did a roast way too long), it is STILL flavorful and juicy.

Our plan is to buy a large order of beef every 4 - 6 months, so that we always have a supply on hand. Prices on this beef vary from $4 - $5/lb, at least in our area. However, if you buy large orders, or even purchase a side, half, or whole cow (this would include steaks and roasts), you may pay $3 - $4/lb plus processing fee. But if you enjoy steaks, that's a great deal!

This is one of the best things we can feed our children. It'll be one of the first things Daniel gets when he starts solids. We have a large freezer in our garage, where we store the beef. Here is a picture of the freezer full of the beef (and a few other things):

Our car, filled with all that beef!

It's also really good to support local farms. It helps them, and it also sends a message that we don't like factory farming practices and we won't buy meat raised that way. It's great to know where your meat comes from and the people who sell it to you. I've included several resources for local farms below.

Local sources (Ohio):
Green Vista Farm -- Wooster, OH (we've bought beef here, too, it was very good!)
Sand Farm -- Andover, OH (near the PA border. Haven't tried them, but looks good and their prices are a little lower)
Just This Farm -- Columbus, OH
Dry Creek Valley Farm -- Granville, OH (no website, but email)
Fox Hollow Farm -- Bellville, OH
Graham Farms -- Grand Rapids, OH (email only)
Green Grass Farm -- Athens, OH
Kestral View Farm -- Johnstown, OH (email only; this family also runs a fruit farm I have been to and liked)
Blackbird Farms -- Pierpont, OH

To find local sources near you, visit Eat Wild.