Protocols

Product is raised using Non GMO feed. GMO's (Genetically Modified Organisms) generally have unknown health consequences. Many countries have banned GMO's as they recognize the long term health detriments of consuming genetically modified food. GMO crops require many pesticides, fungicides, & herbicides. "Cide" literally means "killer/ killing" (think suicide, genocide, etc). If we want a healthy body and life, we must be careful to not partake in foods that are unproven and sprayed with death.

Nutrient dense meat and eggs that have been raised on pasture have been shown to have more essential vitamins and healthy fats than products from confined animals. Animals raised on our farm have access to pasture in all but the most extreme weather. Store branded "pastured" products may not mean much more than confined animals having restricted access to the outdoors. With our poultry, we use mobile infrastructure (i.e. chicken tractors and chicken campers) that move to fresh pasture regularly throughout the grazing months. Pasture raised animal products are raised with nature - not against it. This is a humane approach to farming that allows the animals to engage in natural behaviors that God designed them to thrive in.

Soy contains phytoestrogens (or plant estrogens) which can unnaturally affect hormones as they bind to estrogen receptors in the human body. There has been some research which has suggested that soy may also affect the developmental function of babies, potentially affecting their aggressiveness and play behavior.  Soy interacts in a complex and unnatural way with the body, which may contribute to long term health issues.

It is standard in the industry to vaccinate animals against disease. Generally, this is because the animals are confined in shelters that do not promote health or hygiene for the animals. Disease can spread quickly among confined animals.

Since we practice regenerative agriculture where animals have plenty of space, exercise, fresh air, sunlight, and natural nutrients from bugs and plants, they have a much higher natural immunity to disease. For our animals that use Wholesome Harvest feed from Ernst, they also get probiotics, prebiotics, herbs, essential oils, and more to naturally enhance the animal's health, indirectly contributing to healthier meat for our overall health. Because of this, we strive to get animals that are vaccine free (to the best of our ability) to avoid the negative side-effects of vaccines.

A2A2 milk is unique as it only contains the A2 form of the beta-casein protein. Regular milk contains both A1 and A2 proteins. Where some people experience digestive discomfort with the A1 protein, A2A2 milk can be a good option.

Ruminant animals were designed to digest grass. When fed a grain diet, they tend to be less healthy, requiring more medications and vaccines. A grain-fed diet also contributes to less nutrient-dense meat. Grass-fed meat tends to have more healthy fats (like omega-3's) verses conventionally raised meat.

It is common practice in industry to advertise a ruminant animal as "Grassfed" although they to be fattened at a feed lot.  There is a significant difference between "Grassfed" and "100% Grassfed & Finished".

Our dairy products are made from milk that is unprocessed, whole, and natural. It is never pasteurized (heated) or homogenized (crushed), unlike most conventional dairies. Pasteurization destroys or alters the enzymes, probiotics, healthy fats, and vitamins naturally occurring in milk. Homogenization breaks down fat globules to create a homogeneous mixture. Pasteurization and homogenization lower nutrient levels of milk and may cause allergic reactions or create digestibility complications.

Pasteurization is generally used by industry to destroy pathogens caused by low herd standards (cleanliness, diet, environment, etc). Raw milk, if intentionally produced to sell as raw (not pre-pasteurized milk), is raised with much higher standards than conventional milk. Raw milk dairies are also required to test regularly to ensure that milk meets these standards.