After the move to Missouri, Paul and Gina decided to focus more on their commercial meat goat herd, and reduced their pure blood herd to only a few girls and two outstanding bucks.  They decided to try adding Kikos and Savanna goats to their high-percentage Boer commercial does, and were delighted with the parasite resistance exhibited by the crosses.  Their herd remains largely Boer, with more Savanna and Kiko genetics added every year.  In the winter of 2011, they were awarded an AWA grant to purchase two Savanna bucks. These goats greatly increase the rate at which they add the breed, which is known for its hardiness and mothering ability, in addition to parasite resistance, to their herd.

Paul and Gina applied for AWA certification after stumbling upon the program’s website and realizing that they agreed with, and were already meeting, almost all the AWA standards.  When they first began producing goats and were exposed to the show circuit, they noticed that there were many unnatural practices used by other producers to get their animals to perform better.  Knowing that there was a better way to raise goats, they refused to follow the industry standard in their practices.

At Edwards Goat Farm, every effort is made to reduce stress on the animals.  Does are not bred until they are old enough and large enough for their bodies to handle the stress of pregnancy and kidding.  Kids are weaned along a common fence line with their mothers to minimize anxiety.  Goats are always allowed access to pasture to graze and perform other natural behaviors.  When they discovered AWA, Paul and Gina were very excited to have found an organization that was dedicated to the same natural and high-welfare way of raising animals.

Cherrie is proud that in the years since they began farming together, she and Lee have selected for the best genes in their livestock. Breeds are chosen for traits which lend themselves to the climate of Wisconsin and the pasture-based system that Cherrie and Lee employ. Their selection of desirable characteristics have led them to use breeds like the Silkie chicken, a distinctive bird with fluffy plumage and an exceptionally calm and broody temperament. These qualities make the Silkie an excellent mother hen and this is important on 1dr Acres since all chicks are hatched on the farm and hens care for their own offspring without the aid of incubators or brooders.

In addition to the appropriateness of the breeds that Lee and Cherrie use on 1dr Acres, their animals are also kept healthy through the application of minerals, allowing them to fight off disease, when necessary. The multi-species rotational grazing on 1dr Acres breaks up the pest cycle in their pastures and mimics the diversity that exists in nature where animals fill different niche spaces.

Meeting the demand for their pasture-raised meat and eggs is challenging with the high price of land which is required for pasture-based farming. Despite the challenges, Cherrie and Lee are dedicated to raising their animals in accordance with Animal Welfare Approved standards because they are in harmony with their desire for a high quality of life for their animals.

Ebersole Cattle Co. is home to Maine-Anjou beef cattle, a rare breed in the United States desired for their quick maturity and easy temperaments. Because of their good dispositions, Shanen, with the help of her three children—ages 11, 8 and 4—can move the cattle by herself. In addition to cattle, the Ebersoles also raise Quarter horses and manage their cattle on horseback.

High-welfare animal husbandry clearly improves the lives of Shanen’s cattle, but she is also very proud of the benefit that their management practices have had on the habitat of the 160 acres that they own, as well as 500 additional acres that they have been renting for the last 10 years. As a result of their rotational grazing system, soil quality has improved, leading to better quality forage. Bird populations are increasing and deer populations are healthier. With the help of a 2011-2012 AWA Good Husbandry Grant, Shanen and Beau are continuing to conserve and repair habitat by using mobile solar pumps to keep their cattle out of pristine natural ponds on their rented lands.

In addition to running a small business with the help of her family, Shanen also writes a blog, Green Ranching Mom, about her experiences as a cow girl and mother in rural Iowa.

Geese are available for purchase and shipment throughout the U.S. between November and January for the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year holidays. Consult www.sassafrasvalleyfarm.com for availability and shipping options.

They have dozens of Black Angus and Black Angus cross cattle that roam on rolling hills divided by a creek surrounded by tall bluffs. The bluffs offer the farm great protection from any floods and the creek flows year round. “Tending my animals is my first love,” says Rochelle, who has wanted to raise cattle ever since she was a little girl. Rochelle and Corky have been farming since 2004.  Rochelle says “The farm and my surroundings, primarily the wildlife and nature, have truly become my hobbies. We’ve spent many evenings sitting on the front porch at dusk watching the bats do their job or watching a soft rain start walking down the hill.”

Rochelle and Corky do everything they can to ensure their animals lead a low stress life.  No pesticides, no herbicides are ever used on Painted Creek Farm, and the animals are raised without the use of hormones or unnecessary antibiotics.

The pasture raised beef products that are the result of the work at Painted Creek Farm are available online and at the Red Oak Plant in Mountain View, Missouri.

To find out how to purchase beef from Rasor Farm, visit the AWA Online Product Directory.

Will & Cait Kubitschek

The Kubitschek Family, owners of Green Beef and 7 Springs Farm in Mansfield, Missouri, are fourth generation farmers and are dedicated to keeping the family farming tradition alive. They believe in raising their cattle naturally, the “green” way, and are fully committed to practicing sustainable agriculture. They strive to provide a superior product – one that is healthier for their family and yours. The Kubitscheks have one warning for customers: once you try their flavorful, fresh-tasting “green” beef, they doubt you will be able to go back to the beef you were eating before!

Jill says that she learned to love nature, plants, and animals from her mother. After graduating from Western Michigan University with a degree in agriculture, she purchased Crane Dance Farm in 1996. Getting the farm back into shape took a lot of hard work- from restoring the buildings to rehabilitating the health of the soil. Providing animals with the happiest, healthiest lives possible while maintaining nature’s balance on the farm, is what Jill quotes to be her greatest life’s goal.  Jill’s business partner, Mary Wills, is a retired high school English and music teacher. She first began volunteering at Crane Dance Farm after Jill convinced her she could eat the meat from her farm and not worry about cholesterol. She soon became a resident and owner of the picturesque farm.

Jill and Mary are committed to genetic diversity and try to acquire endangered, heritage breeds whenever possible. On Crane Dance Farm, plentiful pasture, fresh air, and sunshine nurture their heirloom pigs without the use of hormones or unnecessary antibiotics. Jill and Mary believe that this farming philosophy is one that’s not only better for the animals but also benefits the earth and consumer.

To learn more about Crane Dance Farm and its products you can visit the website- www.cranedancefarm.com- or follow Crane Dance on Facebook!

Today, Rene oversees most of the farm’s operations. With the help of her son and daughter-in-law, Matthew and Christina, Rene sells Ellis Family Farm products at several Chicago farmers markets and also organizes two suburban pick-up points.

Rene and Bruce’s youngest child, Mary, is an Honor Roll student in junior high school and the one who raises the farm’s Animal Welfare Approved laying hens. Mary takes care of her poultry, gathers the eggs and works to clean and package them. Her chickens and eggs have been the recipients of many awards at the Berrien County Youth Fair over the last couple of years, including Grand Champion in 2009. Mary often accompanies her Mom to their various farmers’ markets, helping to sell Mary’s Eggs across Chicago.

You can learn much more about the history of Ellis Family Farms (Rene has uploaded a great electronic album covering the farm over five generations), as well as see a complete list of their farmers’ market locations at www.ellisfamilyfarm.com.

That dream was accomplished in 2002 when Kallan and his wife KayDee purchased their own herd of organic cows from Dean. As first generation farmers, Kallan and KayDee, with their two boys Tyler and Andrew, currently operate a certified organic farm and raise Jersey steers in the rolling hills of southern Wisconsin. With over 100 cows in their operation, they pride themselves on keeping their cattle healthy and happy without the aid of artificial or synthetic materials. They provide only the highest quality feed, which they grow and harvest themselves, plenty of clean fresh water, a stress-free environment, and all the grass the lands can produce.

They believe in raising their animals as nature intended and want to go above and beyond organic in everyway possible. This is why they sought out the Animal Welfare Approved label. Grassy Way Organics high-welfare beef products are marketed directly to individuals and local retailers. Contact the farm for more information.