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SilvoPasture Project August of 2018 I was blessed to buy the 160 acres adjoining our farm to the East. Our purchase was the first time the land had changed hands out of the family who originally homesteaded here back in the very early 1800's. Very special to me!!!
This land had never been tilled - always in pine trees (I do not like pine trees). The owners had always lived elsewhere and seldom visited the property. Deer hunters had built encampments all over that were mostly run-down and abandoned that had to be cleaned up. Trees were cut then stumps and debris was mulched.
Next came high-tensil net wire fence along the perimeter with an electric line on top. The electric line was so we could tie into it and energize our polywire for adaptive grazing our cows in smaller paddocks - remember our video titled Move, Mob, Mow, Rest, Repeat!
Anyway, it became clear that to effectively graze our herd we would need shade for them in more than the few spots that trees were located. I've considered a lot of different mechanical options on the market, but each had limitations like expense, tractor to move, very susceptible to damage in high wind and was only a one-off solution.
Trees, unlike mechanical options, do not have to be moved, will withstand much stronger winds and offer many natural solutions to improve the soil as well as provide fodder, berries, nuts, and etc. to feed livestock and wildlife.
So, about 2-years ago I started planning and saving to plant trees. I read a manual from "Trees For Graziers" and sent Jared to a TFG field conference in PA November 2024. Being November, it really put us to late to source all the trees, materials, etc. to plant last winter while the trees were dormant.
I'm thankful to have taken the extra time to get everything together vs. rushing to get it done in 2024. Jared (our gadget son) was tasked with finding a reasonable guidance system to mark the rows between trees - that we could then use when planting with our no-till drill and spraying compost extract. Done!
Trees, tubes, stakes, mulch were all ordered and started arriving mid December. The next question was "Who was going to plant all these trees (like 1800 trees 😀)"?
TFG suggested I contact Propagate to help and I thought we had this taken care of based on the initial price. However, once the official quote came back they were marked off the list. So, I put together a request for quote and email about 17 MS forresters who plant trees. Only one replied to say he was to busy and lived to far away.
Just in time the Lord answered my prayer and sent me a perfect match. Pablo & BaileyAnn have been faithful customers of our farm for over 3 years. They have bought five half beef, eggs, and more and have a strong testimony how our products have improved their health. Anyway, I happened to mention to Pablo my delima and he said I think I can help you out. Let me make some phone calls and I'll get back to you.
Well, the rest is history. I am very pleased with the work done and have nothing but good things to say about the quality, timeliness, and effort Pablo and his team gave to our project. I was also very glad to see my money go to help out a young family.
Here are the statistics: 1,589 trees planted featuring six varieties to include Chestnut, Popular, Mulberry, Birch, and 2 Honey Locust varities. Rows planted North to South and are 120 feet apart. Trees are 30 feet apart within the row. We have about 200 more to plant where our pigs are "before" mid February.
Interesting we have had numerous customers ask what we are doing - some mentioned solar farms! Well, it is kinda like a solar farm.... a nature solar farm where trees and forages collect the suns eneregy and turn it into nutritious food and forages that feeds livestock and regenerates our soils.
 Be sure to check out our drone video of our recently planted SilvoPasture - compliments of Jared and his drone.
A local person has called me several times to discuss our project and inquire what species of trees we planted. Then, I heard they were spreading false information saying "I bet he received subsidies to pay for that tree project - I sure get tired of my taxes going to pay farmer subsidies." They also have very close family who are large row crop farmers who receive major subsidies every year.
My answer to him is- No, I have planned and saved for two years to complete this project. I received NO subsidies (did not even inquire about subsidies). Customers who support our farm are partners with us and helped pay for our project with their food dollars. Our customers choose to support our Regenerative and Resilient farm vs. the commercial farms that go beggin to the USDA for their subsidies every year. Unlike with you who spends your food dollars with the same folks you complain about receiving all your tax money in subsidies!
Our customers "ARE The Change" our food system needs by "Voting With Their Fork" at every meal.
UPDATE: a few weeks ago I mentioned that Joel Salatin would be speaking at a big Land Investment Expo in Iowa. Click the title for his notes from the first speaker - very interesting. Remember, Joel gets to rub shoulders with some big groups and has informative insight on whats happening.
Nature's Gourmet Farm product value proposition is to create a community that evolves around one of the most intrinsically important things of the ages, and that’s the provision of sustenance. That's our passion - to raise healthy animals to provide nutrient dense protein and saturated fat that nourish families and strengthen immune systems.
Our Beef is always grass finished with NO grains. Additionally, our animals are free of mRNA, GMO's (chemicals), Antibiotics, and Hormones. We ethically raise them on diverse forage pastures that regenerates our soils and protects our ecosystem.
Let me encourage you to "Be The Change" our food system needs by "Voting With Your Fork" at every meal.
** Product Availability Update **
NOTE: Restocks are made about 6 PM on the dates indicated below!
Chicken - Next restock January 28th (last restock sold out in under 2 hours)
Turkey - Restocked December 30 for legs, thighs, wings, and ground turkey
Eggs - Restock each Tuesday prior to your delivery date.
Beef - Next Restock January 25th.
Pork – Next Restock January 14th. Smoked Bacon, Hams, and Sausage about 12 days later
Lamb - Restocked September 29, 2025
Custom Half or Whole Beef- Next custom half & whole beef harvest will be February 4th, 2026. Yes, I want to Order Custom Beef & Pork
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