About
Contact:
(978) 355-4519
caledoniafarm@charter.net
Pasture walks,
farm tours, draft horse demonstrations, special orders and consultations available.
Thank you for the opportunity to supply you with the freshest, cleanest food possible.
You can visit us at the Barre Farmers' Market on Saturdays May through October
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Call ahead with your order and we'll have it ready for you!
What we produce
- Pasture reared and grass finished premium beef,
- Free range broilers and
- Free range eggs
Why pasture reared is important
- Cattle and other ruminants have evolved to live and thrive on grass, not starch rich grains such as corn. High starch rations are unnatural and can be harmful to cattle. Cattle are happiest and healthiest on grass with plenty of room to roam.
- Meat from animals that consume living forages have higher levels of vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids- compounds that can help improve and sustain good cardiac health (see www.eatwild.com for citations).
- Confined animals fed unnatural starch rich diets can harbor pathogenic E-coli, a serious public health threat.
- Chickens on pasture can derive up to 20% of their nutrients from grass and bugs.
- Chickens are truly contented and driven to eat succulent young grass and to actively forage for bugs.
- All domesticated livestock benefit from a spacious, clean and airy environment. We reject confinement production methods, as they might be easier on the farmer, but more stressful for the animal. In industrial agriculture, some animal suffering seems to be expected.
Why buy from us?
- We are conscientious and experienced grass farmers.
- We are committed to humane animal treatment and handling.
- We are thoughtful stewards of the environment.
- We use financially and socially responsible methods.
- We are local producers and leave a small carbon footprint in producing clean and abundant food to local consumers.
How can you buy our products?
- You can make a sales appointment to buy right at the farm; but please call ahead. We run a high paced farm and will be glad to make time for you, but we will need to plan for your visit for your maximum benefit and minimal impact on us. We feel it is very important for you to see how we produce our unique products and we therefore encourage you visit and learn more.
- If you are from the metropolitan Boston area, we are starting a buying club for Boston to deliver our products closer to where most of our customers reside. This service will offer convenience for the consumer and farmer both. This service can also help further reduce our collective energy use. Please e-mail us for an order form and more details.
How is the farm is unique?
Our farm is nestled in the upland hills of Worcester County with mineral rich soils and abundant rainfall, which can sustain a wonderfully productive mix of grasses and other grazable plants. Our patchwork maze of fences, fields and pastures will look different every week. All of our animals are frequently moved to new areas to allow the grass to recover and receive the sanitizing and renewing effects of the sun and rain. Cattle, workhorses and chickens are fenced in by portable electrified fencing, and their shelters are mobile, too! Schedule a tour to learn how this management intensive style can produce healthy and bountiful food!
About the farmer
Dave brings in a variety of skills and philosophies to farming. With a keen eye on how all the natural cycles affect one another, Dave brings his powers of observation, patience and critical thought to integrate grass and grazing animals within the many deep cycles of Nature. Dave is an avid student of the biological nature of life, and works hard to further refine and improve the farm. Dave is very sensitive to issues of animal welfare, environmental health, energy conservation and independence, consumer health and economic sustainability. With an eye on balance along with formal training and experience in biology, chemistry and animal and plant science, Dave can meld science and craft together toward a healthy and respectful end- wholesome, clean and healthy food.
