“Know your farmer, know your food.” It’s something we say all the time on our operation, but what does it really mean?
Knowing your farmer is more than just knowing their first name or what they produce. While those things are important, so is knowing if their beliefs and principles align with yours. On our farm we believe in being transparent with exactly what goes on our ground and into our livestock, from the water they drink to the feed they eat and the pastures they graze. We also believe in educating the public on the world of agriculture and what questions are important to ask, even if you don’t purchase from us.
In the past we’ve heard people say that if a farm isn’t offering public tours then they’re hiding something. While this is an easy conclusion to jump to, it’s not an accurate assumption. There are many reasons for farms to not be open to the public including lack of time in their already busy schedules and concerns about biosecurity of their livestock. However, if your farmer isn’t willing to answer a few questions (or have their policies listed on their website) then they probably aren’t a good fit for you.
The following questions are good discussion points when talking with your producer. Over the years we’ve learned to ask some of these questions as we’ve gotten to know how other operations work. As producers reading this, we should also consider these questions as a reflection for how we operate. Let me preface this by also saying that every farm and farmer is doing what they believe to be best for them and their operation. No single farmer is out to get you or intentionally hurt the next generation. However, there are definitely many differences from one farm to the next in their beliefs in what is best practice. Which is one of the great things about our economy – as a consumer you get to choose who you support!
Questions to ask when looking for a non conventional farmer:
- Do you have your own breeding stock or source from another farm?
Some farmers have their own breeding stock so that they know what goes into their products from the day they’re born (and before) but others don’t have the available space or ability to have breeding stock in addition to what they raise for production. Where they source their animals from is important.
- Do you use grain at any point on your farm? If so, is it NonGMO or organic [or insert whatever grain you’re concerned about here]?
Many farms use grain to supplement their livestock, ours included! But if you’re concerned about what grains they use, or if they use something you’re sensitive to it’s important to ask. Some grass-fed operations will also use small amounts of grain to trailer train before processing, so if a completely grain free product is important to you this is a good question to have on your list.
- Do you feed natural minerals or conventional?
When we started we didn’t know about the world of natural minerals, but boy have they made all the difference! We’ve found that when feeding minerals that are mined from the earth versus those mass produced in a lab, the animals are more regulated and don’t require additional supplementation.
- Do you spray your fields with chemical fertilizers or pesticides?
A lot of farms use spray chemicals in their operation, which is absolutely their right to choose. We believe in a regenerative model, using the animals to work with the land instead of against it, and are working towards a full rotation system for all species of livestock. We use Redmond products to improve our soil health combined with periods of rest for the ground. There are also natural options available for weed control on fence lines instead of the typical Round-up applications that include glyphosate.
- Do you source your hay from a farmer that doesn’t spray?
This is a hard one! We produce all of our own hay but still have to supplement our dairy cows (because whew they eat a lot) from a hay farmer that doesn’t spray his fields. Finding a hay farmer that doesn’t spray is very difficult, and can impact the animals if the hay fields aren’t in good condition. This is something we are working on ourselves as well, improving our hay fields with native grasses and natural methods for a more quality product.
- Do you use conventional methods of treatment for your livestock? (chemical wormer, antibiotics, vaccines, hormones for breeding, etc.)
You may get a variety of answers to this question, as many farms use a combination of conventional and natural methods depending on the situation. For us, we treat our animals holistically first through the use of essential oils, herbs and tinctures. We’ve even been known to use a chiropractor in a pinch! Our use of pharmaceuticals is limited to when all of our natural methods have failed and the alternative for the animal is death. In the end, our animals are most important so we will do what is needed to prevent loss. I think you’ll find every farmer to give that answer, their methods of prevention will just be different.
This is by no means a comprehensive list, but includes many things that are forgotten when asking about someone’s operation. While these are all good things to take into consideration, please know that many farms will not check all your boxes. After all, that’s how we started farming in the first place since we couldn’t find anyone that met our standards. That was many years ago, and the world of agriculture has had a shift to more natural options since then! Regardless, choose which things are most important to you to help determine the best farm to meet your family’s needs.
