Why the Source of Your Meat Matters

“Do you buy your meat at Costco?” I was asked this question recently, and it reminded me of the importance of knowing where our meat comes from. There are many reasons I choose to buy my meat from local, Minnesota farmers: regenerative farming practices that benefit our ecosystem, increased nutrient density, knowing how my meat was raised and whether or not it was given antibiotics, and supporting small, family-owned businesses to name a few.

There are a lot of unknown factors when you purchase conventional meat at a grocery store. What were the living conditions of the animals? Were they given antibiotics? What did their diet consist of? Rarely will you see those details on the packaging, which leaves consumers in the dark.

Did you know that 80% of the US antibiotic supply goes to animal production each year? I recently learned this stat when I was researching why antibiotic resistant infections are on the rise in the US (if you didn’t know, I was impacted by life threatening antibiotic resistant bacteria after my surgery in October—full story here). This is why you want to know where your meat is coming from.

The local farms I support raise their animals on pastures and traditional diets, which is how it’s meant to be. Conventional animal product mostly raises animals indoors with no access to nature. Imagine an animal born in a building and then spending its short life in the same building or outdoor concrete platform. I can’t support that.

Dr. Allen Williams, a leading consultant in regenerative grazing, estimates that regeneratively farmed meat can be up to 85% more nutrient dense than conventionally raised animals. Studies have shown that regeneratively raised beef and pork have higher levels of omega-3 fats and a more beneficial ratio of omega-3:omega-6 fats.

Over many years of frequenting local farmers markets and local food co-ops, I’ve come to have a great appreciation for local farmers that prioritize preserving our environment and providing high quality, nutrient dense foods for their communities. I grew up on a conventional farm, so I have seen both sides with my own eyes. Keep reading to learn about a few of my favorite local farms in Minnesota.

Thoughtfully Raised Beef

Stormy Creek Farm, a 3rd generation farm located in New Ulm, Minnesota is focused on improving the nutrient density of their beef by pasturing their herd on grasses with higher organic matter. They are passionate about building diverse ecosystems on their farm while supporting monarch migration and other pollinators.

One of my favorite things about sourcing my beef from Stormy Creek Farm is their variety. They have everything from ground beef to delicious cuts of steak, brisket and more! They also have beef share options, which is a great way to save money on high quality meat. My favorites are skirt steak, ground beef because it’s so versatile and roasts for yummy slow cooker meals. 

Pasture Raised Chicken

Ryan and Desiree of Nelson Grass Farm in Ogilvie, Minnesota are a local, family-run farm focused on humanely raising chicken and pork. Having only been in business since 2012, they are already reaping the benefits of their regenerative farming practices by producing more nutrient dense products for our Minnesota communities. Nelson Grass Farm is part of Minnesota’s regional food system that works together to connect Minnesotans with local food producers. They offer a wide variety of organic grocery products in their online store with pickup options and shipping to some areas!

I love buying whole chickens from them and making bone broth from the leftover skin and bones.

Regeneratively Raised Bison

Sleepy Bison Acres is a 1st generation bison farm, 4th generation family owned farm located in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. Craig and Elizabeth Fischers focus on regenerating the land that their family has farmed on for four generations through practices like:

• Pasture-based livestock farming
• Incorporating no-till, reduced tillage and cover crops to reduce dependence on fertilizers and other chemicals
• Locally sourced, non-GMO grains for their animals
• Drip irrigation system to reduce water usage and increase production

Their website puts it best, “Our animals roam their pastures; our bison graze like they did long ago, our pigs are pastured in the woods, so they naturally taste wonderful without the stink, and our chickens produce those wonderfully vibrant orange “farm colored eggs” as they are able to forage as they please through the yard and the pasture”.

I love using bison for soups, meatballs and burgers on the grill.

Fresh Alaskan Salmon

Wild Run Salmon located in South Saint Paul, Minnesota is owned by Matt Oxford who has decades of experience in crabbing and fishing. During his time in Alaska he learned that the method of flash freezing fish within a few hours of having been caught and processed can actually preserve its nutrients even better than fresh fish on some occasions.

Now Matt fishes with his sons every year and handles the entire journey from catching, processing and packaging his own fish. By doing this, he ensures that you are always getting a high-quality product.

The Wild Alaska Salmon has been certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council, a non-profit that focuses on sustainable fishing practices.

Matt offers a salmon CSA that you can purchase at the beginning of the season and take home all at once or pick up week after week at the farmer’s market if you’re short on space. Purchasing it this way says me a lot of $$$. 

Looking for a Farmer?

One of the best ways to find local farmers is to visit your local farmer’s market! Farmer’s markets were literally created to bring local producers to their communities. I challenge you to visit your next farmer’s market and spend some time getting to know the vendors and their farms.

You can also check out Regenerative Farmers of America’s map on their website to help get your research started or Google “your state + grown” for example “Virginia Grown” and you’ll likely be brought right to your state’s own directory of locally grown goodies.