So far, I haven’t had the neighborhood Bolognese party. In fact, I’ve been rather stingy, giving away only a few steaks to close friends and inviting small groups over for dinner. Now I’m worried that my supply of beef won’t last until next fall’s shipment. I’ve nervously pawed through the contents of the freezer, trying to determine how many meals are left. There are a few more steaks to grill this summer, and then all that’s left is tackling the soup bones and the intimidating-looking arm roast.
[Like Carman Ranch, Abundant Life Farm near Dallas, Oregon raises grass-fed animals. Thanks to Edible Portland's partnership with the local film company Cooking Up A Story, you can watch the story of Abundant Life Farm come to life here: Raised On Grass: Pasture Fed Animals.]
[Recipes: Sirloin Steak with Spicy Pepper Sauce and Best Burgers]
Abigail Chipley is a Portland-based freelance writer and recipe developer.
Resources for Purchasing and Cooking Grass-fed Products
WEBSITES AND CERTIFICATIONS
EatWild.com
Your source for safe, healthy, natural and nutritious grass-fed beef, lamb, goats, bison, poultry, pork, dairy and other wild edibles. Visit the Directory of Farms for farms listed by state. For retail locations that sell grass-fed meat and dairy products in Oregon, go to Beyond the Farm.
American Grassfed Association
Protects and promotes true grass-fed producers and products through national communication, education, research and marketing efforts. Website features a grass-fed FAQ, a list of certified AGA producers by state, and recipes.
Certified Humane Raised & Handled
An inspection, certification and labeling program for meat, poultry, egg and dairy products from animals raised to humane care standards. The program is a voluntary, user-fee based service available to producers, processors and transporters of animals raised for food. Website lists certified producers and retail locations that carry Certified Humane Raised & Handled products by state.
BOOKS AND COOKBOOKS
Pasture Perfect by Jo Robinson
Robinson explores why tens of thousands of people are saying “no” to factory farming, and buying their meats, eggs and dairy products from pasture-based ranchers. Learn why grass-fed meat and dairy products are safer, healthier, and more beneficial for you, the farmers, the animals, and the environment.
Compassionate Carnivore: Or, How to Keep Animals Happy, Save Old MacDonald’s Farm, Reduce Your Hoofprint, and Still Eat Meat by Catherine Friend
Friend takes us on a wild ride through her small farm (with several brief detours into life on factory farms), while raising questions such as: What are the differences between factory, conventional, sustainable, and organic farms? What do all those labels — from organic to local to grass-fed and pasture-raised — really mean? If you’re buying products from a small farmer, what are the key questions to ask?
The Farmer and The Grill: A Guide to Grilling, Barbecuing, and Spit-Roasting Grass-Fed Meat, and For Saving the Planet, One Bite at a Time by Shannon Hayes
Hayes runs a sustainable farm in upstate New York that raises and sells only grass-fed meats. In this cookbook, she offers simple, straightforward recipes and useful tips on grilling, barbecuing, and spit-roasting all cuts of pasture-raised meats.
