Blog - Nature's Gourmet Farm

Farm Improvements

Farm Update – Today (Saturday) has been devoted to Beth's honey do list. Many home & yard task have been accomplished with several more to come. I'm very thankful for her efforts to update our landscape and home. We are always on the lookout for opportunities to learn and improve our operations. Today I want to share a few improvements toward ensuring we only provide a safe product. After the defeat of SB2060 On-Farm Poultry Bill I called and talked with several farms in states that operate under the 20,000 bird Federal limit. One of the things Indiana required was ServSafe Certification. The ServSafe® program is developed by the National Restaurant Association with the help of foodservice industry experts. Their materials help define food safety best practices and involve specialists from regulatory agencies, academia, and the foodservice industry to create them. ServSafe materials reflect the latest science, research and FDA Food Code. Last Monday Beth completed the 8-hour Manager Course and received her Certification. This week North Carolina (through NCChoices) offed 25-Free HACCP online training courses. This is a 20-hour course with a $500 value. I responed and received one of the free slots. Thank you NCChoices! We are also in the process of making some major improvements to our processing area. We will seperate the kill/scald/pluck steps from the evisceration/wash/inspect/cool down steps. We hope to also replace ice (we use about 5-600 pounds per batch) with a cool room. Additionally, we want to improve the "comfort" for folks who help with this major task! Customer Feedback- Hi Ben. Still out in Oregon and will be in Colorado for a year starting August. We really, really miss your grass fed beef!!!! It’s much more available out here but the taste, quality is not like yours. We are coming home for a few weeks and I contemplated buying another 1/2 cow but we can’t figure out a way to ship/ transport it out to Colorado. L Parker Quote Worth Re-Quoting – “I do not want to be sustainable, why would I want to sustain a degraded resource? I want to be regenerative! That is the only way to leave the farm better then I found it.” Gabe Brown – voted top 25 most influential farmers in 2016. As always, thank you for supporting our regenerative, local farm. Ben & Beth

Good News for MS Agriculture

Farm Update – The picture above was taken in D Paddock on April 12th when I moved the mama cows into the new paddock. You can see the Crimson Clover, White Clover, Vetch (purple flower), Oats, and Brassica. After completing April delivery I came home switched to the cattle trailer and loaded my truck for a trip to Springfield, MO. Drove most of the night to arrive in time to view the bulls to be auctioned Thursday at 1 PM. I had a list of my favorites selected first based on ultrasound data for tenderness, rib-eye area, and marbling. There were many good yearling bulls to choose from. While I did not get my first choice, I did get an equally high quality bull. Additionally, I offered to deliver bulls back towards home to help pay for my trip. I left Springfield with 8-bulls. Dropped mine off at home Friday evening. Reloaded the remaining 7-bulls Saturday morning. Dropped one off near Dothan and then the remaining 6-bulls near Ocala, FL late Saturday afternoon. I spent Saturday night and Sunday morning with some dear friends (a retired Air Force Chaplain) who really helped me a lot during my first Air Force enlistment at Plattsburg AFB, NY. It was a blessing to see them again. On the way home I visited a farm near Pineapple, AL to see about the possibility of buying some yearlings. The farm was recommended to me by Dr. Allen Williams who has worked with the owner for 15 years to improve his herd genetics, soils, and forages. As you may know by now, MS has a new Ag Commissioner. From what I have heard and read he has the potential to help small farms - certainly cannot be worst than Smith was! The MS Market Bulletin had a really good article on Andy Gibson that you can read here once they post the latest edition. During my trip I was thinking who would be best to help me invite Mr. Gibson to my farm. Then, last Thursday afternoon Senator Hill called me to say she would like to bring him to see our farm the week of April 23rd. Of course, we are thrilled to have them come. I will prepare a short presentation about our farm, issues working with Smith & the meat inspection division, opportunities for MS Ag, and solutions. More to come! Customer Feedback- The beef is so tender and juicy! Just very clean tasting beef! The chicken is wonderful! Ben, we love your products and are always satisfied! Thank you again for growing healthy forage for the animals! R. McGarrah Quote Worth Re-Quoting – "Don't you find it odd that people will put more work into choosing their mechanic or house contractor than they will into choosing the person who grows their food?" --Joel Salatin As always, thank you for supporting our regenerative, local farm. Ben & Beth

Numerous Farm Updates

Farm Update – I want to thank all our customers for your support and business. Sales continues to grow. April delivery cycle we had 7-new customers place their first orders. Reservations for chicken have been strong. As you read this update, I am returning from a bull sell in Missouri! After Wednesday's delivery I traded out the delivery trailer for the cattle trailer and headed for the sale in Springfield - with expectations of making Jonesboro, AR before stopping for rest. The sale starts on Thursday at 1 PM. We are looking at both Red and Black Angus bulls. A major selection criteria is tenderness and marbling that is determined from ultrasound data collected on each bull. I will also provide delivery to other farmers along Route #3 that covers NW Arkansas, North MS and down to Montgomery, AL before returning home The bulls will be much more expensive than what we have paid in the past, but represent an investment in providing our customers a quality product. Wednesday, March 28th I spoke at Dr. Gibbs two Entrepreneurship classes in Scianna Hall (the new business college building). This came about through one of our long term customers who is taking the class and discussed the possibility with Dr. Gibbs. This was a very rewarding experience - to be able to share our story of regenerative farming. The class was very attentive and asked really good questions. And, Scianna Hall is amazing. Nothing like the Green building where I took my business courses - but then there was no such thing as computers or cellphones back then! Thanks to Dr. Gibbs for inspiring her students and using local entrepreneurs. I also have an appointment with a USM Grad Student majoring in Nutrition who has an assignment to interview a farmer! She was smart in locating a local farmer by visiting the Farmers Market and asking around. Someone there told her about Nature's Gourmet Farm. This past week I collected soil samples from all pastures (an 8-10 hour task) and mailed them off Monday morning. Results are due back April 10th. I'm excited to see what improvements have been accomplished and to learn what is needed next. The last item posted to our Facebook page was an interview with Andrea Leyerle from Livingston when she and her husband visited the farm to pickup their 2nd Half Beef order. Customer Feedback- The beef is excellent! So far I have put up 14 quarts of bone broth, we have had spaghetti with meat sauce, ribeye steaks, and tonight we are having burgers! I am on a beef binge for the foreseeable future! Thank you for doing what you do. My family appreciates it very much! A Leyerle Quote Worth Re-Quoting – "Food security is not in the supermarket. It's not in the government. It's not at the emergency services division. True food security is the historical normalcy of packing it in during the abundant times, building that in-house larder, and resting easy knowing that our little ones are not dependent on next week's farmers' market or the electronic cashiers at the supermarket." --Joel Salatin As always, thank you for supporting our regenerative, local farm. Ben & Beth

Sunday Dinner At Grandma Simmons'

Farm Update – This Sunday many families with get together and celebrate Easter & Jesus' Resurrection. Growing up I remember my Dad talking about how good his Mom's Sunday Roast was. Since I was to young to remember, I have asked my Aunt Millie to share the story of Grandma Simmons' Sunday Roast. Every Sunday was nearly the same as the last one. I can’t remember many that were different. It was hurry up, get the milking done, put the roast on and get ready for church. Maybe Daddy would drive us to church in his ‘38 or later in his ‘50 Chevy truck; maybe someone from church would pick us up; or maybe Bro. Wright would have spent Saturday night at our house. When I was little, Daddy was off on Saturday and Sunday from his job at Mississippi Central Railroad. When I was about eight or ten years old, his days off changed to Monday and Tuesday because he replaced a man who had been hurt and had to retire. Of course we were not very happy that he would be doing more dangerous work. Back to the roast. Daddy bought the groceries all the time from a list Mama gave him. He always bought a nice size beef rump roast. Rarely did he get any other kind as the grocer knew he would be there Saturday afternoon and would have put one aside for him. If he didn’t get one, it was because the grocer didn’t get one either. Mama would mix salt, black pepper, chili powder and a little red pepper, poke three or four holes in the roast with a knife and put a teaspoonful of seasoning down into the meat. Then she would flour and brown the meat in a big black cast iron Dutch oven, brown some extra flour for gravy, add plenty of water to cover the meat, put it in the hot stove oven to begin cooking. When we were ready to leave for church, she would turn the oven down to low and let the roast cook while we were gone. The house smelled so good when you opened the front door. We finished up dinner with rice (sometimes creamed potatoes), Green Giant brand English peas, lots of times a Jell-O salad with REAL whipped cream on it, U-Bake rolls, iced tea that each person sweetened to taste because Mama drank unsweet tea, and a pie or cake Mama, Granny or I had made on Saturday. After clearing the table of dishes, the left over food was moved to one end of the table and covered with a cloth until supper. After cleaning up the kitchen and dishes, most of us found a nap, put a puzzle together, or maybe we went to see Auntie or just for a ride in the really country country. For Sunday supper, you ate what you could find---absolutely no cooking. Speaking of groceries, Daddy bought groceries from Auntie until she sold the store, then from J. P. Mozingo at his store on George Street in Petal and some things from J. O. Runnels who owned Petal Mercantile at the corner of Main Street and Central Avenue. They sold all sorts of things--- groceries, fabric, patterns, lingerie, garden seed and supplies, gift items, household appliances and I’m sure other things. They also made home deliveries for groceries, etc. Lee was the black man who made deliveries. If Mama needed some food item, thread or anything, I would go to Mrs. Ford’s house and call Mr. Runnels to have it sent to us. They would always send us nice food and not scrappy, old stuff. Delivery was free and courteous. Hope you enjoyed our family story and we wish you God's Blessings as you gather with family and share your family stories. Customer Feedback- Best beef ever !! We are a family of five so we go through a lot of meat ! My daughter ( Now 6 ) Has never liked beef , I really felt like she would be a vegetarian . I bought my first grass fed cow meat and well....She ate beef and cleaned her plate (WHAAATTT !!!! ) That should say a lot on its own . Well , so far , everything that I have tried has been so tender and so good, I don't think i could ever buy store bought beef again ! A. Bass Quote Worth Re-Quoting – “The shared meal is no small thing. It is a foundation of family life, the place where our children learn the art of conversation and acquire the habits of civilization: sharing, listening, taking turns, navigating differences, arguing without offending.” ~ Michael Pollen As always, thank you for supporting our regenerative, local farm. Ben & Beth

Farm Pig Stories

Farm Update – Last Sunday Beth & I delivered the pigs to the processor. For the trip, Beth brought along her new copy of Mother Earth News. Included was a story by Joel Salatin about pigs! With 40+ years experience he is such a good "story teller". His article inspired me to pen a few of my experiences.Hope you enjoy! First, let me start with a few observations about pigs. Pigs are very intelligent, far ahead of a cow or chicken, and their survival instinct is very strong. You gain their trust by being around them in a non-threatening manner. Once you have their trust they become as close to pets as farm animals can get - they enjoy rubs, lots of attention, and plenty of treats. Oh, and food is a major motivator for pigs! Moving farm animals is critical for hygiene and ecological reasons. Loading is critical for harvest. Folks new to farming often overlook the nuances of animal psychology - and thus the three "short" stories I wish to share here. We started with pigs in 2012 when we bought 3-breed sows. They gave us 22 babies that we raised and sold. When it came time to harvest we moved them to the pasture where our stationary corral is located and started feeding them in one of the holding pins. I had heard you needed to "introduce" new things to pigs so I backed the stock trailer up to the loading shoot about a week before the scheduled departure. I then started feeding them inside the holding pin always leaving gates open so they could come and go - getting use to the new surroundings. Then came the time to load. I went about my task as before and all was good. I closed the gate and went to load them - the pigs quickly scooted out "on their belly" under the lower bar on the corral, went a short distance, turned around as to say "we are smarter than that"! Did I mention pigs vision, unless looking up, is only about knee high. So, I rescheduled the processor appointment and gathered some old tin, self-tapping screws, and tools to build a barrier along the bottom of the holding pin and up to the trailer. This simple adjustment made the next loading a snap. Having learned from our experiences, when it came time for the next trip I again set up the trailer a week ahead - in the pasture where they were already located. I used temporary panels to build a corral up to the rear of the trailer with used tin secured to the lower portion. I first moved the feed troughs inside the corral and fed them there for 3-4 days gradually moving toward the trailer. By load day they were eating inside the trailer. So, after giving them their feed I simply closed the door. Very low stress for everyone! This last batch for some reason I never could gain their full trust. I new I was going to have to "outsmart" them or else have scheduling issues. I did all the things I had learned and was successful with in the past 4-5 load-outs. This time, I added a rope to the gate that stretched over to the feed tote (that I could hide behind) because anytime I went inside their area several pigs would dart out of the holding pin. Load out day came. Routines were followed. All 10 pigs went into the corral to eat. I was hid behind the feed tote ready to pull the gate closed - when one of the pigs decided something did not seem just right and came out to investigate. He walked around - grunted - raised his head looking to see if everything was okay. He did this for 5-6 minutes - I was starting to get nervous thinking he was going to blow it. Then, not sensing any danger AND knowing his buddies were getting all the food, quickly made his way back inside to eat. I pulled the gate closed behind him and they loaded without any stress. A few lessons learned: 1) Movement is easier if the pigs want to go where you want them to go. Trust me, you cannot push, pull or otherwise move an adult pig if he does not want to move! 2) The easiest and smartest way to incentivize a pig is with food. Consistent schedules and preplanning by introducing "new" ahead of time makes life easier for all 3) Remember their low center of gravity and sight line - you can't imagine the leverage and power and agility of a pig in a confined situation when it want to get through you (see #1) 4) Pigs are smart - must build trust (#2). They can size up your intentions and generally don't assume you have their best interest at heart (see 1-3 above) As with all farm animals, an unexciting experience is a good thing. Customer Feedback- Quote Worth Re-Quoting – "You know, in our culture today, our Western, reductionist, Roman, linear, fragmented... culture, we don't ask how to make a pig happy. We as how to grow it faster, fatter, bigger, cheaper, and that's not a noble goal." --Joel Salatin As always, thank you for supporting our regenerative, local farm. Ben & Beth

The Value of Knowing Your Farmer

Farm Update – Have you noticed the seamingly small change to our tag line on our website homepage? We have changed the wording from Grass-Fed Beef to Grass-Fed to Finish Beef! That small change makes a BIG difference. Here's the story: When we started out back in 2010 we visited other farms and read how to successfully raise grass fed beef. And we followed the recommendations. All was good and we sold all we were able to raise each year when they were about 16-18 months old and weighted up to 1000 pounds. However, as the industry has matured we have learned that "Premium" grass-fed beef requires the animal to be closer to 24 months of age before they are "finished". A grass-fed to finish beef will have more marbling, better meat to bone ratios, and be more tender & juicy than a younger and leaner beef. To finish simply means the beef continues to graze our diverse forage pastures until they are fully mature and ready for harvest. We are pleased to let our customers know that all the beef in our freezer qualifies for Grass-Fed to Finish Premium Beef. It really pays to visit your farmer and to understand how the animal was raised. In the past several weeks customers that have visited our farm told me of other farms that sell pastured beef but when asked questions they found out they feed grain the last 90-120+ days before harvest. Friday, a man near Columbia told me of someone who was buying beef at the stockyard, having it processed, and selling it as grass-fed beef out of a chest freezer in his pickup truck - which is illegal! To close on a positive note, I am resending Dr. Martin's tips due to link issues from last week. Several of my Hattiesburg Clinic customers told me about Dr. Arthur Martin, Cardiology, who wrote "Dr. Martin's Tips for a Heart-Healthy Diet and Lifestyle." I contacted his nurse who gave me permission to share with my email list. While he has many powerful tips the one that impressed me about him the most was "Eat real food from farm to table and stay away from processed junk." Let me encourage you to read all his Tip's. Click here for Page 1 Click here for Page 2 Customer Feedback- The beef is so tender and juicy! Just very clean tasting beef! The chicken is wonderful! Ben, we love your products and are always satisfied! Thank you again for growing healthy forage for the animals! R. McGarrah Quote Worth Re-Quoting – “(Sir Albert) Howard put it this way:"Artificial manures (synthetic fertilizers) lead inevitably to artificial nutrition, artificial food, artificial animals and finally to artificial men and women.” ― Michael Pollan As always, thank you for supporting our regenerative, local farm. Ben & Beth

Dr. Martin's Heart Healthy Tips w/ Shareable Links

My apologies about the operator error in sending the links. Hopefully I have it fixed now. If you still have trouble please let me know. Several of my Hattiesburg Clinic customers told me about Dr. Arthur Martin, Cardiology, who wrote "Dr. Martin's Tips for a Heart-Healthy Diet and Lifestyle." I contacted his nurse who gave me permission to share with my email list. While he has many powerful tips the one that impressed me about him the most was "Eat real food from farm to table and stay away from processed junk." Let me encourage you to read all his Tip's. Click here for Page 1 Click here for Page 2 As always, thank you for supporting our regenerative, local farm. Ben & Beth

The Buzz Is Growing

Product Update – 1) Chicken - The FIRST batch have arrived and will be available FRESH on April 28th (SOLD OUT). Then on May 25, June 22, July 20, Aug 17, Sep 14, Oct 12, and Nov 9. If you would like to reserve some for your family simply let me know how many by DATE. 2) Beef - We have plenty of recently processed beef cuts in our freezer waiting for your order. Do you need larger quantities - then consider our best family value Half Beef-Custom Processed! To learn more visit our store at Half-Beef, Custom Processed Next Harvest Date is March 11th - if you plan to purchase a custom beef I need to have your order before March 9th. We will process in April. Then, it will be late fall of 2018. 3) Pork - We have plenty of most cuts in stock. However, bacon, ribs and shoulder roast are sold out. We are now taking orders for our Half-Pork Custom Processed that will be harvested mid-March. Only one half is left so don't delay - I need your order by March 16th for processing March 18th. Farm Update – Wednesday was our regularly scheduled pickup day and what a beautiful day to be out enjoying the warm sunshine,fresh air and interacting with customers. Friday, I spoke to the 8th grade science class (about 50 students) at Petal Middle School. They were studying about GMO's and their teacher Mrs. Bilbo had been following our farm and asked if we would share with the students why we do not use GMO's. It was a rewarding experience. Several of my Hattiesburg Clinic customers told me about Dr. Arthur Martin, Cardiology, who wrote "Dr. Martin's Tips for a Heart-Healthy Diet and Lifestyle." I contacted his nurse who gave me permission to share with my email list. While he has many powerful tips the one that impressed me about him the most was "Eat real food from farm to table and stay away from processed junk." Let me encourage you to read all his Tip's. Click here for Page 1 Click here for Page 2 Customer Feedback- I have been getting beef, chicken, and pork from Nature's Gourmet Farm for about three years, and their products are some of the finest available. The most recent half share of pork that I received has been amazing. Some of the best bacon I have ever tasted! The ground beef is lean and delicious. And the chickens are terrific too. The taste of a roasted, freshly processed chicken, before it has ever been frozen, is divine. So happy that they have added eggs to their farm recently. And best of all - Ben is truly committed to sustainable farming and humane treatment of his animals. I've visited the farm, and the animals really are living the way that nature intended. Amy A. Quote Worth Re-Quoting – “When chickens get to live like chickens, they'll taste like chickens, too.” Michael Pollan, The Omnivore's Dilemma; A Natural History of Four Meals As always, thank you for supporting our regenerative, local farm. Ben & Beth

How To Buy Real Pastured Poultry

Farm Update – Spring has arrived at Nature's Gourmet Farm. Energy from the sun has really perked up our pastures and is providing nice green forages for our cows, pigs, and hens. Folks are starting to get out more! Farm sales this week have been brisk. Last week we planted Spring Peas and clovers into our bahia grass pastures and have ordered more seeds for our annual summer pastures. Wednesday is our regularly scheduled delivery day. So, if you have not got your order in you have until Midnight Monday, March 5th to be included. Since the season for raising (buying) pastured broilers is here I wanted to share buying tips from the American Pastured Poultry Producers Association: How to Buy Real Pastured Poultry Do the birds live outside on pasture? Expectation: You're looking for an answer that demonstrates the flock is raised outside on pasture for a significant portion of it's life. The farmer will have a movable pasture shelter that provides protection from weather and predators. Beware: Pastured poultry is seasonal, so if you live in a cold weather climate, be wary of buying fresh poultry meat at market in the cold months. This could indicated non-local or non-pastured product. Where were the birds raised? Expectation: Pastured poultry excels in community development by keeping food dollars in your "neighborhood" where it circulates through the local economy more so than purchasing products that need to be shipped in. Beware: While the definition of "local" can be subjective, be cautious of supporting "local" product that originates beyond a few hours drive. Understand: Are you talking to the farmer or a trusted associate of the farmer? Dealing with the farmer directly fosters a transparent relationship. However, some local farms form cooperative arrangements and sell complementary products. An example would be a vegetable farm selling a neighbor's turkeys and vice versa. This is a good thing and each farmer should be transparent and knowledgeable. How often do you move your birds? Expect: First and foremost you're looking for the farmer to acknowledge moving the birds in a planned way. Meat birds are often moved daily. Beware: A selling price that is significantly below the typical pastured poultry price for your community is a signal that the poultry may not be pasture-raised. Watch out for "pastured poultry" claims from farms that do not rotate their birds through the pasture; the taste, the nutrition, animal welfare, and environmental benefits of pastured poultry require intentional flock movement. Understand: Regardless of species, the constant movement brings the pastured poultry model to life. It enables the farmer to raise healthy birds without antibiotics; it increases the amount of green forage and small animal proteins the birds consume, which contributes to the health, taste, and nutrition of the final product. Movement improves the soil health and prevents denuded and diseased pastures often visible from continuous grazing. Pastured poultry is regenerative poultry. Can I See Pictures? Expect: You want to see birds on pasture in movable houses with vegetated pastures. If viewing pictures of the pasture rotation, expect to see evidence of grazing impact; however, the pasture should still be covered in vegetation. Beware: Dirt, while sometimes present, is not synonymous with pastured poultry. Avoid dirt lot poultry. Understand: Pastured poultry farmers love to show off their birds on pasture. Housing models incorporate varying degrees of function, style, and pragmatism. What type of feed do you use? Expect: Chickens are not vegetarians. They are omnivores, and they require feed in addition to the supplemental forage of greens, insects, and small animals found in the grass. You want to ensure the chickens are eating a nutritionally balanced ration, which in turn contributes to the health of the poultry and helps ensure a pleasant eating experience. Beware: Use caution when buying from a farmer who claims the chickens forage for 100% of their diet from pasture. You will likely be disappointed with the quality of the meat, and the bird was not raised in a humane way. It is difficult for even a very small flock of birds to adequately forage for all food. If a farmer claims not to use any prepared feed ingredients (corn, soy, wheat, oats, etc), you need to find out what else the farm is using for feed. Understand: Common feed ingredients include corn, soybean, fishmeal, alfalfa, wheat; An overwhelming majority of pastured poultry farmers feed a certified organic ration or a non-gmo (not certified organic) ration. Understand that if you seek chickens with specialty diets, those birds have a higher cost to produce than the typical corn and soy feed rations At Nature's Gourmet Farm our broilers are started in the brooder (see picture above) until they grow their feathers. Then we move them to pasture inside our chicken tractor that we move each morning. In addition to fresh grass, insects, etc. they are supplemented with NON-GMO Project Verified feed designed for their life stage. Plenty of fresh water is provided from our on-farm deep well. Additional pictures are available on our website. Check out why folks tell us we have "really good chicken". Thank you! Customer Feedback- Thanks for making everyday a "Good Eats" day at the Tipton House. I really appreciate all you do to produce healthy & happy animals. J Tipton Quote Worth Re-Quoting – "You, as a food buyer, have the distinct privilege of proactively participating in shaping the world your children will inherit." --Joel Salatin As always, thank you for supporting our regenerative, local farm. Ben & Beth

Grass Fed To Finished Beef

Farm Update – Since the late 1990s, a growing number of farmers have stopped sending their animals to the feedlots to be fattened on grain, soy and other supplements. Instead, they are keeping their animals home where they forage on pasture, their native diet. As a result, the animals grow at a natural pace. For these reasons and more, grass-fed animals live low-stress lives and are so healthy there is no reason to treat them with antibiotics or other drugs. This accounts for roughly 5% of the US beef market. Factory Farming. Raising animals on pasture is dramatically different from the status quo. Virtually all the meat, eggs, and dairy products that you find in the supermarket come from animals raised in confinement in large facilities called CAFOs or “Confined Animal Feeding Operations.” These highly mechanized operations provide a year-round supply of food at a reasonable price. Although the food is cheap and convenient, there is growing recognition that factory farming creates a host of problems, including: • Animal stress and abuse • Air, land, and water pollution • The unnecessary use of hormones, antibiotics, and other drugs • Low-paid, stressful farm work • The loss of small family farms • Food with less nutritional value. Animals raised in factory farms are given diets designed to boost their productivity and lower costs. The main ingredients are genetically modified grain and soy that are kept at artificially low prices by government subsidies. Factory farming accounts for about 95% of the US beef market of which 4-corporations control about 80% of the sales that you find in grocery stores, meat markets, restaurants, and etc. A hybrid model that some farmers are now doing is raising beef on grass until the last 4-6 months before slaughter and then finishing the steer on grain. Thus, bringing in most of the factory farming health problems. Today, it is very easy to get to know your local farmer and to ask questions about his operation. The Healthiest Choice. When you choose to eat meat, eggs, and dairy products from animals raised on pasture, you are improving the welfare of the animals, helping to put an end to environmental degradation, helping small-scale farmers make a living from the land, helping to sustain rural communities, and giving your family the healthiest possible food. It’s a win-win-win-win situation. NGF would like to thank Jo Robinson and Eat Wild as the source of this information and the work they do to promote small farms. Customer Feedback- This family owned operation is top notch! They raise grass fed pasture raised beef, chicken, and pork. You can tell the difference in quality grass fed pasture raised meat. It’s so much better for you and the way the good lord intended us to eat. The fact that they are right here in my home state makes it even better. I will continue to purchase all my meat and eggs from Ben and his family. J Maples Quote Worth Re-Quoting – "You, as a food buyer, have the distinct privilege of proactively participating in shaping the world your children will inherit." --Joel Salatin As always, thank you for supporting our regenerative, local farm. Ben & Beth

Defining Real Farm Food

Farm Update – You may remember a few weeks back I asked "What Is Real Farm Food"? A good definition from Nourished Kitchen - "In the simplest explanation, traditional foods focused on four basic principles: 1) avoidance of modern, refined foods; 2) celebration of unrefined, whole and natural foods;3) respecting the importance of nutrient-density in our food and 4) preparing and eating foods in the same manner that nourished our ancestors and kept them well. In essence, if your great-great-great grandmother wouldn't recognize it, don't put it in your mouth." So, peeling the onion back, What Does Real Nourishing Food Look Like? Grass Fed to Finished Pastured Meats: meaning animals that have been raised and fed as they were intended when created, withgrass underneath and the sun overhead. Using all parts of the animal including the bones for nourishing broths. Eggs: from hens that are pastured, roaming free with lots of sunlight Fats: such as butter from grass fed cows, unrefined coconut oil, ghee, extra virgin olive oil, tallow, and lard. Grains and Legumes: whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. Fruits and Veggies: preferable in season and grown as locally as possible using organic practices. Dairy: raw (or low heat pasteurized) and full fat from grass fed cows. I would add that it is extremely important to know what your beef, pork, hens (eggs), and chicken eat because it directly affects the nutrient density and healthiness of the meat & eggs. That is why we DO NOT use and GMO feeds. Customer Feedback- The quality of the meats is unsurpassed. The eggs are the best available. These products are not only better for you, they taste much better too! D Allen Quote Worth Re-Quoting – "Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food" Micheal Pollan As always, thank you for supporting our regenerative, local farm. Ben & Beth

Farm To Consumer Legal Defense Fund

Farm Update – I want to thank all our customers who persevered through the rainy weather Wednesday to meet me for your pickup. We understand even though we try to make ordering easy and convenient that you still have to make a special trip for pickup - and Wednesday was a pretty yucky day! Farm To Consumer Legal Defense Fund - protects the rights of farmers and consumers to engage in direct commerce; it protects the rights of farmers to sell the products of the farm and the rights of consumers to access the foods of their choice from the source of their choice. FTCLDF is a true grassroots organization and receives no government funding and little or no corporate funding. I can personally vouch for the great work they do. One of their attorney's, Mr. Pete Kennedy, worked with Senator Hill on the SB2060 Poultry Bill and provided documentation for victories in other states to use as evidence against critics. Recently, they provided farmers a 7-Step Plan to Survive A Farm Raid (and yes that does happen). FTCLDF's main sources of revenue are membership fees, individual donations and grants for public interest litigation from various organizations. Joel Salatin & PolyFace Farms sponsors fund raisers for them annually. I would encourage anyone (farmers & consumers) who believe in eating "Clean" to support this organization. Check them out here. Glyphosate: A Toxic Legacy. Acres U.S.A. interviewed Author Carey Gillam who Shares Decades of Research into the World of Monsanto and its Ubiquitous Weed Killer Roundup. Her first book, Whitewash: The Story of a Weed Killer, Cancer, and the Corruption of Science, fills a gaping hole in the literature and is getting excellent reviews. Read the interview here. Town Square Cafe & Bakery located at 129 Walnut Street, Hattiesburg is now using NGF eggs for their breakfast, brunch, and bakery menus. Jessica has a very nice cafe and reviews are excellent. Hope you will visit her soon - and she even bakes King Cakes! Customer Feedback- The beef is so tender and juicy! Just very clean tasting beef! The chicken is wonderful! Ben, we love your products and are always satisfied! Thank you again for growing healthy forage for the animals! R. McGarrah Quote Worth Re-Quoting – "You, as a food buyer, have the distinct privilege of proactively participating in shaping the world your children will inherit." --Joel Salatin As always, thank you for supporting our regenerative, local farm. Ben & Beth

Restock Dates: Please see our Farm Blog where we post our weekly newsletter for the latest updates

Nature's Gourmet Farm