Vernon Valley Farm

Vernon Valley Farm raises grass-fed beef, pastured pork, and naturally grown vegetables. We strive to produce fresh, healthy, and flavorful food for our community. Our operation is strictly chemical and drug free. From the health and well-being of our animals, all the way down to the worms in the soil, we seek to use nature’s synergies to farm rather than industrial methods. All of our cows are born on the farm and raised on our pastures. We have spent years fine-tuning the mix of grass species so that there is a diversity of forage available, irrespective of the weather. From spring through early winter, we move the herd daily to a fresh area. This system is known as intensive rotational grazing and is designed to mimic the natural grazing patterns of herd animals in the wild. This allows the grass enough time to rest and regrow and helps build healthy soil. This also helps to break insect and parasite cycles. In the winter, we feed grass hay to our cows and all year long we offer free access to OMRI approved sea salt, vitamins, and minerals, which in turn re-mineralize the soil. During the winter months, we feed our cattle in an open sided barn. We utilize a bedded manure pack system. This historic method puts a greater emphasis on animal comfort rather than production efficiency. The resulting compost is spread back on the fields after the winter and helps grow our vegetables. The pigs are allowed to enjoy the fruits of their foraging as they are moved through a series of pastures and wooded areas. Psychology is important and the ability to root and run around makes for healthier and happier pigs. We allow access to supplemental protein sources, and the pigs self select from among: locally grown and milled feed, fruit and vegetable scraps, and whey from a cheese-maker. We welcome visitors and seek to mentor others about farming. We strive to be 100% transparent with our practices. This land has been stewarded by our family since 1836, with help from many hands.