Digging Down to the Root

Our herding dog, Kit, watching over the cattle as they graze the bountiful grass last summer.

Want to know something that gets me fired up (in a good way)? When people ask what I do for a living, I tell them I'm a grass farmer. 🌱 Yes, we raise cattle, pigs, chickens, turkeys, and lamb, but I've always believed that the best farmers are the ones who dig down to the root of matters - pun absolutely intended!

That's why I love the "5 Whys" exercise. It's where you keep asking why until you get to the heart of something. Here's what happens when you let a passionate farmer like me start asking why:

  Why does Grass Roots focus so much on soil?

• Because healthy soil grows better grass.

  Why does better grass matter?

• Because it feeds healthier animals.

  Why do we want healthier animals?

• Because they produce more nutritious meat.

  Why is that important?

• Because the quality of your food directly impacts your family's health.

Spring is just around the corner, and that means chicken season is almost here! Soon, these mobile schooners will be home to our chicks, moving to fresh pasture each day. With every step, they’ll enjoy nutrient-rich grass, ensuring a healthy and happy life.

This commitment to understanding the deeper "why" behind everything we do brought us together last week at our yearly farmer gathering. It's where our farming community comes together to celebrate wins, share knowledge, and plan for the year ahead. And when I say community, I mean it - these aren't just individual farmers, but whole families working together, each bringing their own methods and wisdom to the table.

One of the things that makes me proudest is the growing group of Amish and Mennonite farmers in our community. Let me tell you, these folks know a thing or two about digging deep - both literally and figuratively. But what's really special is seeing how different farming traditions and modern techniques can come together to make us all better stewards of the land. It's not about doing things the same way we always have - it's about finding new ways to improve while staying true to our core mission of caring for the land and animals.

Want to see how we put all this into practice? Keep an eye out - this year we'll be sharing more peeks behind the curtain at our different farms. 🚜 You'll get to see everything from farmers using draft horses to move their mobile chicken coops across pastures to others pioneering solar-powered mobile pens. Same mission, different methods - and all of them work beautifully.

Embracing different approaches and techniques. Here's a glimpse of some of our farmers' trusted rides lined up at our 2025 Farmer Meeting last week.

At the end of the day, our success isn't just measured in the meat we produce - it's measured in the health of our soil, the strength of our farming community, and the trust you place in us to bring the very best to your table.

Your (grass) farmer, 

Cody

P.S. We'd love to know what aspects of our farming you're most curious about! Hit reply and let us know what you'd like to see more of - whether it's our mobile chicken coops, regenerative grazing practices, or the daily life of our farming families.  Your questions help shape the stories we share!