They decided that if they were going to raise the best pork possible, they had to start with the best pigs possible. They knew that the cramped, confined corrals of today’s commercial pig farmer was not for them. Kelly and Mark wanted their animals to be happy, healthy, and to have as much freedom as they could provide.

Their research led them to the Large Black and Tamworth hogs. Both are old breeds, well suited to grazing. The Large Black’s docile nature is often attributed to their distinctive, floppy ears that completely cover their eyes. Their black coloring makes them hardy in extreme temperatures and protects them from sunburn. The Tamworth breed is the most direct descendant of the native pig stock of Europe that, in turn, descended from wild boars. They are disease resistant and tolerant of extreme temperatures. Both these breeds are known for their good mothering ability, displayed when they are allowed to farrow, or give birth, on pasture.

Kelley and Mark plant forage crops and use a rotational grazing system.  During drought or freezing conditions where there is no foliage, they mill our own feed using their own custom blend. They never give any of their animals growth hormones or unnecessary antibiotics.  They allow their slower-growing pigs the time to reach maturity outside on pasture.

“We respect the animals we raise,” says Kelley. “Their happiness and comfort is our number one priority.  The quality of our product is a direct result of our efforts in keeping these animals as safe, happy and healthy as we possibly can.”

The initial herd of 12 bison (along with some laying hens) was established at Madroño Ranch in 2007, and soon thereafter the residency program for environmental artists and writers became a part of the ranch. Today, Heather and Martin’s herd of 40 Animal Welfare Approved bison range freely on rolling hills about 120 miles southwest of Austin. To reduce stress and preserve the meat’s quality, bison are slaughtered on farm with the supervision of a licensed inspector from the Texas Department of Health. Their AWA certified laying hen breeds include Ameraucana, Buff Orpington, standard leghorn, Black Wyandotte, and Rhode Island Red, producing colorful nutritious eggs. Madroño Ranch chickens are also raised outdoors, though at night they reside in what Heather and Martin like to call the Chicken Palace.

Heather and Martin could not run the ranch without the work of Madroño’s ranch manager, Robert Selement, but Heather notes that the bison basically “take care of themselves.” Raising their animals in a pasture-based farming system, which adheres to AWA’s rigorous standards for high welfare and allows animals to perform behaviors that are biologically and behaviorally appropriate, is the most important thing that the farmers at Madroño Ranch do.

In addition to farm operations and residencies for writers and artists, the ranch also hosts cooking classes and workshops. The Kohouts believe it is important to draw people out of the city to experience the rich natural diversity of the Hill Country and the complex relationship between people and their appetites.

Linda’s Animal Welfare Approved Beefmaster cattle are a cross from the early 20^th century between the Brahman, Hereford and Shorthorn cattle, resulting in animals that are well adapted to the harsh conditions of southern Texas, produce high-quality meat, and have good dispositions. Despite the extremely arid conditions on Perez L & M Ranch during draught years, she is able to manage her pastures without the use of toxic chemicals. She uses chicken and cow manure to fertilize her ranch, largely relying on dung beetles—which don’t cost a thing—to spread it.

“I’m aiming for good husbandry and good land stewardship,” Linda says.  Because of her easygoing relationship with her cattle, and her reliance on sustainable and high-welfare management practices, Linda insists that working with her cattle is “wonderfully stress free.” While it’s a “great lifestyle,” running a ranch by herself is hard work that requires making decisions each day that affect animal welfare and business sustainability.

“I love these animals,” Linda says. “I see them from the moment they’re born. If they’re going to be beef, I want them to be great beef. And if it’s prepared well, it’s the best beef.” In addition to producing healthy, delicious beef, Linda is also an artist. When her L & M Grass-Fed Beef market stand at the Pearl Farmers’ Market in San Antonio includes her hand-thrown pottery, she fondly calls the stand the Bull and China Shop.

The Koch Ranch is home to a few hundred Angus cattle that roam on more than 4,000 acres of rolling hills, creek beds and plains.  The ranch uses rotational grazing methods and a very efficient irrigation system to make sure there’s always plenty of sweet green pasture for the cows to graze on.  The Koch family works hard to maintain a high-welfare existence for their cattle—ensuring a stress free herd, living life the way nature intended.

To find out how to purchase grassfed beef from Koch Family Ranch, visit the AWA Online Product Directory.

Ranney cattle are raised on nothing more than native grasses and mother’s milk, producing healthy and great tasting beef.  The farmers practice planned rotational grazing and in the past few years have seen renewed health and vibrancy return to their land; just this past summer they counted over thirty native perennial grasses in one pasture!

The Ranney Ranch family is thrilled to be part of Animal Welfare Approved and to support its principles in this beautiful Southwestern landscape.

Darby Farms’ beef is processed and inspected at a local processing plant and can be purchased online or at East Texas Fresh Farmers Market in Tyler, TX. Cody and Rachelle offer a variety of combination packs- from sampler sizes to couples packs or even whole steers- so that there is something for every type of customer. To learn more about the Darby’s and their farm, visit www.darbyfarms.com.

The herd at Coonridge is a mixture of Alpine, Nubian, La Mancha, and Oberhasli dairy goats. When the goats are not asleep at night in the barn or barnyard, they are out and about roaming the rim rock country of western New Mexico and foraging in the surrounding pinon and juniper forests; there are no fences or neighbors around the farmland for miles.  Maremma guard dogs- an ancient breed of dog native to the Romans- are companions to the goats on a daily basis and keep them protected from natural predators.

Nancy uses the traditional Mediterranean way of preserving her AWA goat cheese by covering it in a layer of sunflower seed and extra virgin olive oil. This preservation method allows the cheese to be shipped and transported without the need of refrigeration. To learn more about Nancy, her philosophy and the farm, visit www.coonridgegoatcheese.com.

Luis and Myriam believe in the environmental, animal, and human health benefits of grassfed beef. Grassfed beef is higher in many essential nutrients- such as Omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), antioxidants, and vitamin E- which contribute to overall human health benefits; allows the cow to engage in normal ruminant behavior; and requires far fewer high energy, fossil fuel dependent inputs that contribute to climate change and land degradation.

To see some beautiful pictures of the farm and learn more about ordering (usually cows are ordered in full or in halves), please visit www.mustangcreekfarm.com.