Why We Chose Pasture-Raised Meats: Health Benefits, Quality, and Sustainable Farming

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to families across the world. For our family, one of the most significant challenges was ensuring that we had enough food to feed ourselves during the lockdowns. As grocery store shelves were emptied by panicked shoppers, we found ourselves staring at the empty meat sections, wondering how we were going to provide nutritious meals for our family. This moment of uncertainty marked the beginning of our journey into pasture-raised farming—a journey that not only transformed the way we eat but also led to the creation of our business, Raised Right Farmstead.

A Garden as Our Foundation

Long before the pandemic, we had always maintained a garden. It was a source of pride and joy for our family, providing us with fresh vegetables and herbs throughout the year. There’s something deeply satisfying about growing your own food—nurturing plants from seeds, watching them grow, teaching your children about plants, and eventually harvesting the fruits of your labor. Our garden allowed us to connect with our Creator and appreciate the simple pleasure of eating food that we had cultivated with our own hands.

But despite the abundance of fresh produce from our garden, we still relied heavily on grocery stores for other essentials, particularly meat. We had always been conscious of the quality of the food we consumed, but it wasn’t until the pandemic hit that we truly began to question the reliability of the industrial food system. 

The Catalyst: Empty Grocery Store Shelves

As the lockdowns stretched on, the reality of the situation became increasingly clear: the food system we had depended on for so long was fragile. The sight of empty meat shelves at the grocery store was a wake-up call. It forced us to confront the uncomfortable truth that we were far too reliant on external sources for something as fundamental as food.

Sitting at home during those uncertain times, we began to explore alternative ways to feed our family. We knew we had a small backyard, the knowledge, and the determination to take control of our food supply. With the success of our garden as inspiration, we decided to take the next step: raising our own meat rabbits, quail, and chicken on pasture.

Raising Our Own Meat and Eggs: A New Beginning

Starting small, we introduced a few laying hen chickens to our property. We built a mobile chicken tractor that allowed them to roam freely on fresh pasture each day, giving them access to the natural diet they were meant to have. As we learned more about pasture-based farming, we expanded our operation to include more chickens and eventually added rabbits, quail, and Cornish Cross chickens to the mix.

The experience of raising our own meat and eggs was transformative. Not only did it provide us with a reliable source of high-quality protein, but it also deepened our whole family's understanding of where our food comes from. We were involved in every step of the process, from feeding and caring for the animals to ensuring they were treated humanely throughout their lives.

The Difference in Quality

The first time we tasted meat from our own pasture-raised chickens, we were amazed by the difference in quality. The flavor was richer, the texture more tender, and the overall experience far superior to anything we had ever purchased from a grocery store. The eggs from our pasture-raised hens were similarly impressive, with vibrant orange yolks and a depth of flavor that made store-bought eggs seem bland by comparison.

This noticeable improvement in the quality of our food led us to question everything we had been buying from the grocery store. We started reading labels more carefully, scrutinizing every ingredient, and becoming increasingly aware of the additives and preservatives that are so common in processed foods. The more we learned, the more committed we became to a diet based on whole, natural ingredients—foods that were as close to their natural state as possible. Don't get us wrong...we don't eat perfectly by any means. There are times when we're in a hurry and grab a burger from our favorite burger joint in town. For the most part though, we've really been trying to avoid highly processed foods.

Health Benefits We Couldn’t Ignore

As we continued to incorporate pasture-raised meat and eggs into our diet, we began to notice significant improvements in our family’s health. We had more energy, our immune systems seemed stronger, and we even noticed positive changes in our skin and overall well-being. The connection between what we ate and how we felt became undeniable.

This shift towards healthier eating wasn’t just about avoiding the empty calories and questionable ingredients in processed foods—it was about embracing a way of life that prioritized quality, nutrition, and sustainability. By raising our own meat, we were not only feeding our bodies with the best possible food, but we were also contributing to a more sustainable and ethical food system.

The Birth of Raised Right Farmstead

As our knowledge and experience in pasture-based farming grew, so did our desire to share what we had learned with others. We knew that we weren’t the only ones who had faced the challenges of the pandemic and the uncertainties of the food system. We wanted to offer our community a reliable source of high-quality, pasture-raised meats and eggs—food that they could trust to be healthy, sustainable, and ethically produced.

And so, Raised Right Farmstead was born. What started as a way to feed our own family during a time of crisis has grown into a business dedicated to providing the best quality meats and eggs to our local community in Eastern North Carolina. We are proud to offer pasture-raised chicken, turkey, eggs, and other products that are raised with care and respect for both the animals and the land.

Sharing the Benefits with Our Community

At Raised Right Farmstead, we believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality, nutritious food. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to make pasture-raised meats and eggs available to our neighbors in Eastern North Carolina. We want to share the benefits that we’ve experienced firsthand—the superior taste, the improved health, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly where your food comes from.

We are committed to sustainable farming practices that prioritize the welfare of our animals and the health of our land. Our animals are raised on fresh pasture, where they can forage naturally and live as they were meant to. This approach not only produces better-tasting, more nutritious food, but it also supports the environment by promoting healthy soil, reducing the need for chemical inputs, and fostering biodiversity.

Looking Forward

The journey that began during the COVID-19 lockdowns has fundamentally changed the way we think about food, health, and sustainability. It has taught us the importance of sustainable living, the value of quality over convenience, and the deep connection between what we eat and how we feel.

As we continue to grow Raised Right Farmstead, we remain committed to these principles. We are excited to share our passion for pasture-raised farming with our community and to offer products that are not only delicious and nutritious but also raised with integrity and care.

Whether you’re looking for the best-tasting chicken, turkey, or eggs, or you’re interested in supporting sustainable agriculture, we invite you to join us on this journey. Together, we can create a healthier, more resilient food system—one that nourishes our bodies, our communities, and our planet.

Have a blessed day, friends!

 

Raised Right Farmstead