August 2024 vol. 4
Our son Jacob, a Captain in the Army, and his family recently moved to Tennessee, and this holiday weekend we were able to pay them a visit. It’s always delightful to get to spend time with the grandkids, but it seems like no vacation is complete without a trip to the local farmer’s market. As we do not ship our meat and believe strongly in the need to supporting local farmers, we were more than happy to help them restock their freezer.
Clarksville Tennessee, just west of Nashville, has a wonderful weekend farmers market, with a myriad of vendors. Lots of handcrafted items, vegetables and mushrooms, and three vendors selling meats. Being “in the know” I made sure to quiz them about their farming practices. After all, I want to ensure my grandkids are properly fueled with nutrient dense, healthy proteins. I was somewhat shocked to hear the broad variation in the way they were raising their animals. The largest and busiest vendor, and the only one selling beef, owned and operated a feed mill. When asked if their pigs were raised on grass, they freely admitted that they were in a dirt lot that no longer had grass growing. Similarly for the cattle, they finish them on grain in a quasi-confined area. Fortunately, the other two vendors engaged in regenerative, grassed-based practices, and were eager to relay how they raised their animals to ensure maximum flavor, nutrition, and animal well-being. I wasn’t surprised to see that their prices were a bit higher than the grain mill owners, nor was I surprised to see that their line was a lot shorter too. That just confirms that we have a long way to go in educating consumers on the value of regenerative farming. I get it, we’re all trying our best to stretch our food dollars, and I’m always thrilled that people are making the extra effort to support local farmers, but there truly is a difference.
One of the vendors was an Amish farmer selling cheeses from their dairy. After sampling, and of course buying several of their offerings, we were happy to learn that the farm, just 20 minutes away, was open to the public and had a farm store with a lot of additional products. Shortly after a quick stop back at the house to unload our coolers and have lunch (of which we devoured all the cheese), we took a very scenic trip out to the farm. The farm store was loaded with all kinds of goodies. Not only were we able to restock our cheese supply, but we added milk and ice cream to our dairy desires. At the farmers market, everyone was out of chicken, so I was happy to find that the Amish farm store had a few broilers available. They also had several freezers full of beef and pork, so we doubled down on red meats and filled our coolers once again.
It’s been quite a while since we’ve had toddlers in the house. I was surprised by how much food these kids consume! I’m sure the hundred pounds of meat that now resides in their freezer will be gone in a few weeks, but I’m glad we found a few sources close by that we can trust to continue to supply our growing family with healthy, flavorful meats, milk, and eggs.
As our visit to Tennessee reminded us, finding trustworthy sources for healthy, nutrient-dense food is not always straightforward. However, it’s a rewarding effort that pays off in the long run, especially when it comes to nourishing our families. We’re grateful to have found local farmers who share our commitment to regenerative practices, ensuring that our grandkids—and future generations—are fueled with the best nature has to offer. Whether here in Texas or across the country, we remain dedicated to supporting and uplifting the farmers who prioritize quality over quantity, and we encourage you to do the same. After all, there’s no substitute for knowing exactly where your food comes from and how it was raised.
See you at the market!
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