Miller's Orchards Farm Market
Pasture-Grazed Animals
Our pigs, chickens, and steers are raised outdoors in fresh air, with plenty of grass and sunlight. This environment produces the healthiest, happiest, highest quality animal. In addition, our pasture-grazed animals are healthier for the consumer, having lower levels of saturated fat and higher levels of vitamins and minerals. The difference is that our animals are raised on fresh pasture which is utterly different than the conventional confinement paradigm. We feed our pigs and chickens non-GMO grains, and do not use antibiotics or wormers.
Pasture-Grazed Pork
Our pigs are raised on grassy paddocks that are about a quarter of an acre in size. When they are finished rooting up the soil and snacking on all the greenery we move them to a fresh plot. The time it takes completely depends on the size of the pigs and the quantity of pigs per paddock. Recently our pigs have been renovating an old orchard on the farm. We put them in a paddock and they go to town digging through overgrown brush--even eating branches and briars! What amazing creatures! Our delicious pork is available throughout the year in both large quantities and individual cuts within our Farm Market. And now that we have our own Butcher Shop on the farm, we are able to custom cut your orders! See our BULK MEAT Order Form for details.
Pasture-Grazed Chicken
Our broilers are the birds we raise for meat. Each day they are moved onto fresh, green pasture providing them a "buffet" of grass, seeds, weeds and bugs. These supplements, in addition to their non-GMO, hormone-free, antibiotic-free farm-mixed feed, provide the best overall diet. Our finished broilers weigh 3–5 lbs, and we have numerous "dressing dates" throughout the summer and early fall that enable you to purchase fresh chicken. We also have whole chickens and parts available frozen at our Farm Market year round. See our BULK MEAT Order Form for details.
Our layers are also raised on lush pasture and are moved every 3–4 days. Our Happy Hens eggs have a fuller flavor and better nutritional value than conventionally raised eggs. Because they are such magnificent foragers, they are given ample room to search, scratch, peck, and eat at all the delectable treats they find. They are also provided a non-GMO feed ration to supplement their diet. We raise layers year-round, and strive to have high quality eggs available at all times. We do, however, understand that layers produce fewer eggs in the winter months and incredible quantities in the summer. We simply ask our local community to follow their lead and buy in season.
Pasture-Grazed Eggs
Pasture-Grazed Beef
Our beef is 100% Pasture-Grazed or Grass-Fed. They are never fed grains as part of their diet. They are rotationally grazed, moving to fresh paddocks throughout the spring, summer, and fall. In the winter, they receive hay bales. We work in cooperation with local farmers, providing land for their cattle to graze. We then purchase their beef for our farmers market.
Resources
There are numerous resources, both in books & newspapers as well as online, that detail the pastured meat-raising process and its benefits. Here are links to a few "Pastured Animals 101" articles to offer you some more background on our methods. We think, however, that reading about the pastured process is only the start. Come visit us in the Fall and hop on one of our weekend Guided Hayride Tours of the Farm. You'll be able to see our meat and egg operations up close and personal!
High Priest of the Pasture
Meet REAL Free Range Eggs
The Benefits of Pastured Pork