From Pasture to Plate

A banker would've laughed at Andrea and my business plan 20 years ago: "So, let me get this straight – you want to loan money to two starry-eyed dreamers with borrowed pasture and a mission to revolutionize the meat industry?"

(Spoiler alert: They did not).

But here's the thing about crazy dreams – sometimes they're just crazy enough to work, especially when you find a community of equally "crazy" people who believe that better meat is possible. Who'd have thought that "regenerative agriculture" would become dinner table conversation? (Okay, maybe that's just at my house...)

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it takes a community to raise good food – and thankfully, our community is full of folks who don't mind getting their boots muddy for the cause.

As I reflect this Thanksgiving season, I'm filled with gratitude for every single person who makes Grass Roots possible, from pasture to plate (and all the adventurous mishaps in between).

No matter the season, our farmers are caring for our livestock and the land. Freeman Farms, Missouri

Our farmers are out there every day, in all weather (and I mean ALL weather – you haven't lived until you've seen someone chase escaped chickens in a thunderstorm), giving their hearts and souls to raising animals right. They're the foundation of everything we do, caring for the land and livestock with an unwavering commitment to regenerative practices.

Then there are our artisan butchers at Cypress Valley and Natural State Processing – the unsung heroes who handle every animal with deep respect and care. These folks have forgotten more about meat than most of us will ever know, and the pride they take in their craft shines through in every cut that arrives at your door.

Masters of the craft – our artisan butchers at Cypress Valley, Arkansas

I have to give a special shout-out to our small but mighty Grass Roots team. These folks are true "barnraisers" – the kind of people who hear "that's impossible" and say "hold my kombucha." They'll do whatever it takes to support our community of farmers, butchers, and eaters working together for better food and a better world.

But most importantly, I want to thank you.

By choosing to buy your meat directly from farmers who are doing things right, you're not just putting better food on your table – you're helping build the food system we all deserve. Every purchase is a vote for regenerative agriculture, humane animal treatment, and rural communities that can thrive. (And yes, your taste buds can totally tell the difference between a pasture-raised turkey and its factory-farmed cousin.)

From all of us – the farmers, the butchers, and the whole Grass Roots crew – thank you for trusting us to feed your family. We couldn't do any of this without you.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Your farmer (still pinching myself that this crazy dream worked),

Cody