This is a really nice site for info on pasture-based farming. Especially useful to me was the map by which you can find grass-fed meat and dairy locally. http://www.eatwild.com
Yo, there's the ranch where I get my meat, listed at the very top for Californians: the "Big Bluff Ranch". It's owned by the Dawley's; the daughter Val (who doesn't ranch) was my friend and classmate in high school. And the mother sits on the County School Board with my father. The older brother, Tyler, graduated from Claremont McKenna (one of the premier liberal arts colleges in the country, and home to some of our smartest citizens), but decided afterwards, he loves to ranch. It's kind of cool living in a small town every once in a while.
I don't think I'd be able to store that much beef. Lol. I've been wanting to switch to grass-fed beef for a while though, what stores should I go to find some? I think Whole Foods carries it but everything at whole foods is so expensive. I'm gonna try trader joe's but they don't have any organic meat listed on their site. I live in Northern California so I guess Organic meat is cheaper here.
Not to sound all Ted Nugent on y'all, but have you tried venison, elk, or moose? Think about it-- ever seen a chubby deer? Doubtful. There's way less fat on the meat. A little research on the area you're hunting in, and you know what they've been eating. the wild taste can be removed, but I kinda like it myself. For whatever stereotypes or stigmas you want to attach, the point I'm trying to make here is that deer in particular is a leaner form of red meat. I know we should all probably be eating more white meat and fish, but I'm just too carnivorous for that. :/ availability, though? not sure. Where I live, so many people hunt, it's not too hard to come by. just another option to consider...
Where in North Cali? Near Chico? The Trader Joe's is the place. BTW, you don't have to buy huge amounts of beef from ranches like Big Bluff. Yeah, the offer half-racks and such, but if you have one nearer to you, you could contact them to see where they distribute, and if that's too far out the way, you'd be surprised how accomodating these people are.
I hate Ted Nugent, but venison is great. But the only place to really get it is hunting. My granpa always brings out a bunch to put in the freezer after his hunting trips.
I found a farm fairly near to my house, got a couple family members willing to committ to sharing a side of beef, then got the email that they only have it available in December for customers who have preordered. *sad* Guess I'll have to order me up a cow for 12/07 and renew my immediate search. A couple other sites referred to me by the owner of the above-mentioned farm... http://www.lionsgrip.com/pastured.html http://www.localharvest.org/
