By Becky Streeter
You might have never thought about it before, but that hamburger or steak you hold in your hands ready to be purchased and cooked has been on a long journey. Depending on where you got it from, it could be a good story or a bad story, maybe even a horror story. If you buy your meat from the grocery store, you will likely never find out. But if you buy your meat straight from the farm, you know where it’s been from start to finish.
Purchasing meat directly from the farm helps you become invested in what ultimately ends up on your plate. You get to meet the farmer, who is usually more than happy to answer any questions you have about their animals, practices and products. You get to see how the animals are raised, and make sure it’s up to your standards. Middlemen are cut from the equation, ensuring your money goes directly to the farmer, and you often get a higher quality beef for a lower price than you would at the grocery store, all while lowering the miles the product travels. Additionally, the health benefits of consuming grass-fed beef include lower fat content and richer in many essential vitamins.
Below are two great, local farms that have a passion for what they do and take pride in their farming practices:
Seibel Organic Meats - Bloomer, Wi
This 100+ year old family farm raises certified organic steers. They are free-range and 100% grass-fed with clean grass–no herbicides, pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. They are also never fed any antibiotics or hormones. When the steers are ready, the Seibel’s search out area processors to cut the meat and return it to them to be sold. Adam Seibel, one of the farmers and owners, says, “We feel our customers buy our meat because they can relate to us. We are not just trying to sell them products, we are selling them healthy and quality meats at a fair price. We try to go the extra step to educate our customers on the benefits of grass-fed organic meat and how eating good food can change your overall health.” www.seibelsorganic.com.
Farm Sweet Farm - Cadott, Wi
A 230 acre farm, they have been raising and selling grass-fed beef, pastured chicken, and free-range eggs for almost 20 years. They do not use growth hormones or antibiotics, but simply raise their animals as nature intended. They place a large emphasis on sustainable agriculture, taking into consideration the environment, the people in the community, and how it will affect them financially. Farm Sweet Farm also loves having customers visit the farm and truly get to know where their food comes from. You can buy meat in bulk, or in small poundage, just like you would see at the grocery store. Heather Flashinski, one of the owners and farmers, says, “We want people to feel comfortable with the meat and enjoy it. It’s such a blessing over the years the number of people who come back saying they can’t bring themselves to buy their meat anywhere else.” www.farmsweetfarm.com
Every pound of meat has a story–farm fresh meat is a love story with a happy ending for both the farmer and you.