A word about our products…
All our livestock is raised and finished on our pastures. If the grass is growing, despite the creek or temperatures rising, they are on it.
We do not apply any artificial fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides to our pastures. We are a no spray, regenerative farm. We do apply composted manure collected from our winter-feeding areas. We may also occasionally add lime to adjust the soil PH of our fields.
We do not use antibiotics, unless sickness threatens the animal’s life, this is very, very rare. We believe in raising animals as naturally as possible. We do not administer hormones, steroids, or anything else unnatural and unnecessary. We take pride in raising animals with a genetic predisposition to thrive naturally on our farm. A low stress life means happy, healthy animals and better tasting meat.
Our farm products are not certified organic. Our livestock is grown and managed following organic, naturally based principles. Our poultry do require grain, in addition to forage to be healthy and grow. To meet this need, we buy certified organic feed and it’s always soy-free. During the colder months we do feed organic corn for the extra fat and calories for our chickens to stay warm.
We raise registered, 100% grass-fed Akaushi, South Poll and Guernsey for beef. The cattle herd is a mix of breeds to produce crossbred vigor and balance. We have two bulls; Dude is South Poll and King is Akaushi. Our matriarch cows are Patch, Ty, Serena, and Goldie. They are South Poll x Akaushi crosses. Spot is pure South Poll, and Liberty (aka Libby) is pure Guernsey. We only raise genetically polled, gentle, grass-fed cattle on our farm. The calves are born on our pastures and spend their entire life on them. The cattle are supplemented with free choice minerals year-round and in the winter with hay we produce on the farm. Our cattle don’t look like most other cows found in Tennessee. They are varying shades of red or red and white, or blonde (not black), they do not have long legs, but look quite large lying down, they’re short, stocky and have a “barrel” body. We focus on the genetic merit along with phenotype of our herd.
OUR HERD
What is Akaushi?
Akaushi (pronounced Awk-ah-oo-she) is known as the “Emperor’s Breed.” All Akaushi are Wagyu, but not all Wagyu are Akaushi. The Akaushi breed did not exist outside of Japan until the 1990s. Akaushi cattle are known worldwide and prized for their distinct marbling that gives their beef a melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich, buttery flavor. Beyond the melt-in-your-mouth flavor that Wagyu beef is known for, it’s also nutritionally different from other types of beef. The high levels of intramuscular marbling are what make this beef unique in flavor and nutrition.
The high-fat content in Akaushi cattle leaves less room for muscle fiber and collagen, making the beef notably more tender than other breeds. It also contains a higher concentration of monounsaturated fat relative to saturated fat, which the American Heart Association notes can lead to lower cholesterol, the prevention of coronary heart disease and weight loss. Wagyu beef has been studied for its health benefits and advantages over other types of red meat, most notably its fat content, particularly its omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids.
Akaushi beef is an excellent source of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), an omega-6 fatty acid and of oleic acid, especially when compared to other sources of red meat. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fat often found in heart-healthy oils such as olive oil. In addition, the high amount of oleic acid found in Akaushi beef gives it a deep, buttery taste, unlike any other beef on the American market. It provides a truly unique eating experience with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Download more health benefits of the monounsaturated fatty acids found in Akaushi beef here.
Meet the South Poll
South Polls are a composite breed, which consists of an equal percentage of Barzona, Hereford, Senepol, and Red Angus. Credit for creating the South Poll is given to Teddy Gentry, who is more famously known as the bass player in the band Alabama. South Polls have been nicknamed the “southern mama cow,” known for its gentle disposition and tender, flavorful meat. The breed was created with the intent of raising cattle that excelled at grazing and finishing well on 100% grass, in hot, humid environments no less. The South Poll breed fits perfectly onto our farm as they were meant to thrive in the environment we have in East Tennessee and as smaller framed cattle, it makes them a more economical solution for small farms like ourselves.
The Famous Golden Guernsey
The Isle of Guernsey, a tiny island in the English Channel off the coast of France, is the birthplace of the Guernsey cow. About 960 A.D., besieged by buccaneers and sea rovers, the Island came to the attention of Robert Duke of Normandy. He sent a group of militant monks to educate the natives to cultivate the soil and defend the land. The monks brought with them the best bloodlines of French cattle — Norman Brindles, also known as Alderneys, from the province of Isigny and the famous Froment du Leon breed from Brittany — and developed the Guernsey. Introduction of the Guernsey to America occurred around September 1840, when Captain Belair of the Schooner Pilot brought three Alderney cows to the port of New York. Later, Captain Prince imported two heifers and a bull from the Island.
Guernsey’s Golden Product
The Guernsey cow is known for producing high-butterfat, high-protein milk with a high concentration of beta carotene. Beta-carotene is a natural orange-yellow pigment found in many fruits and vegetables, like carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, spinach, kale, and apricots. The milk’s golden color comes from beta carotene, which the cows absorb from the grass they eat and pass directly into their milk. It is a type of carotenoid, which is a group of antioxidants and is a precursor to vitamin A. In the body, it is converted into retinol (vitamin A). Vitamin A is essential for: eye health, skin health, and immune function. Guernsey milk is higher in protein, vitamin A, vitamin D, calcium, and cream than other milks. They are excellent grazers and perform well in Tennessee’s warm climate. Libby is bred to either of our two bulls to supply us with fresh raw milk and tender, well marbled beef.
Our farm plans to open a herdshare soon. We will have raw A2/A2 milk available for a limited number of shareholders. If you are interested in joining our herdshare, please contact us.
Beef is available by the cut or in bulk shares.
Our Laying Flock: Eggs
Our flock consists of almost a dozen different breeds, most of which are heritage breeds. What are heritage breeds? They’re traditional livestock breeds that were once raised by our forefathers or relatives from a bygone era, before industrial agriculture became mainstream and common practice. These breeds were carefully, lovingly selected and bred over time to develop desired traits and that made them well-adapted to the local environment. Learn more about Heritage Breeds!
Why so many? About half our flock consists of rare and or endangered breeds. Some were once America’s common poultry and now they face extinction. Why save them? Aside from contributing to the physical beauty of our pastures, these rare poultry are an irreplaceable part of history and biodiversity. They offer incredible variety that may be needed for future farms – vigorous health, mothering instincts, foraging, longevity, natural reproduction, and the ability to thrive in a changing climate. These poultry are a vital part of ensuring food security for our farm and planet – now and for the future.
Our hens are on pasture year-round and have a portable coop. This is where they lay their eggs and roost inside at night. The hens roam the pasture during the day, surrounded by a portable electric fence and guarded by our two hard working LGD’s Mace and Sugar. The entire setup allows the hens to enjoy fresh grass, bugs, and sunshine safely from predators. They are supplemented with the produce grown on our farm and with organic minerals.
Our eggs are sold by the dozen, ungraded with various egg shell colors of white, blue, green, brown and creams. Our eggs have bright to deep orange yolks and thick whites.
Pastured Chicken
We currently only offer our pastured chicken as a whole bird. We raise our meat birds the same way as our layers, always on pasture and fed certified organic, soy-free grain. They’re fully processed, weighed and packaged on our farm, so they’re oven ready.
Pastured Pork: Coming Soon